THE  TREASURE 


-OK- 


MONTEZUMA, 


—BY- 


RUDOLPH  LEONHART,  A.  M., 


AUTHOR  OK 


"  DOLORES;"  "THE  CHILDREN  OF  THE  OUTLAW;"  "THROUGH 
BLOOD  AND  IRON  ;"  THE  WILD  ROSE,"  ETC. 


CANTOX,   OHIO: 

CASSIDY,  BOOK  AND  JOB  PRINTER. 

1888. 


COPYRIGHT. 

1888. 


PREFACE. 


If  I  deviate  in  this  instance  from  the  rule  hitherto  observed, 
not  to  present  a  preface  to  my  works,  it  is  because  the  present  pro 
duction  of  my  pen  differs  widely  from  those  I  have  hitherto  given 
to  the  public.  As  a  general  thing  prefaces  are  superfluous  in  works 
of  fiction,  betraying  an  amusing,  though  pardonable,  vanity  on  the 
part  of  the  writer,  and  the  erroneous  supposition  that  the  reader 
extends  to  him  the  interest  he  takes  in  his  production.  If  the  pres 
ent  work  had  merely  entertainment  in  view,  as  had  my  former  pro 
ductions,  I  would  have  abstained  from  intruding  personally  on  the 
reader ;  but  this  is  not  the  case.  While  I  have  endeavored  to  enter 
tain  I  have  no  less  endeavored  to  instruct,  and  of  such  magnitude, 
in  my  estimation,  is  the  subject  laid  before  the  reader,  that  I  deem 
an  explanation  of  my  reasons  for  embodying  it  in  a  story  not  only 
justifiable  but  necessary.  Whether  I  have  done  the  subject 
justice  is  a  question  whose  answer  I  must  leave  to  the  reader, 
claiming  only  the  sincerest  conviction  of  the  correctness  of  the 
principles  expounded,  and  the  purest  motives  in  their  promulgation. 
I  presume  it  is  generally  conceded  that  at  no  time  has  there  existed 
such  universal  dissatisfaction  with  the  condition  of  social  affairs  as 
now ;  but  while  the  acknowledgement  of  this  fact  is  nearly  univer 
sal,  the  opinions  as  to  its  causes  vary  greatly.  Hundreds  of  writers 
and  thinkers  have  racked  their  brains  for  plausible  explanations  of 
the  puzzling  phenomenon,  without,  however,  bringing  it  much 
nearer  a  solution.  The  writer  has  given  this  subject  much  thought, 
and  now  ventures  to  express  his  conviction  that  this  deplorable  dis 
content  can  only  be  explained  by  the  undeniable  fact  that  the  great 

2209011 


4  PREFACE. 

majority  of  our  race  practice,  or  at  least  tolerate,  a  number  of 
enormous  lies,  underlying  the  superannuated  and  rotten  structure  of 
human  society,  allowing  them  to  color  and  shape  their  lives.  We 
live,  as  it  were,  under  false  pretentious,  endorsing  by  our  silence 
these  lies,  and  causing  the  world  to  believe  that  we  take  them  for 
truths.  Hypocrisy  has  thus  become  a  national,  yea  universal  vice, 
and  yet  we  wonder  that  a  deep  discontent  prevades  the  masses. 
We  may  tolerate  and  practice  a  vice  but  we  can  no  more  evade  the 
self-contempt  engendered  by  such  a  course  than  the  mariner  the 
wake  which  his  vessel  plows  through  the  water.  This  being  my 
conviction,  the  reader  will  no  longer  wonder  at  my  anxiety  to  set 
myself  right  before  the  world  on  this  question,  and,  by  the  pro 
pagation  of  my  honest  views,  discharge  a  duty  which  none  of  us 
ought  to  evade.  It  is  not  only  the  privilege,  but  the  stern  duty  of 
an  upright  man  to  show  his  colors,  and  to  declare  such  principles 
as  he  thinks  calculated  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the  human  race. 
If  he  err  he  errs  at  least  honestly,  and  is  much  less  to  blame  than 
the  miserable  hypocrit  who  sails  under  a  false  flag  and  conceals  his 
real  opinions  through  the  despicable  apprehension  of  injuring  his 
worldly  pr«spects.  I  need  not  point  to  the  vigorous  denunciations 
which  the  founder  of  the  Christian  faith  hurls  at  the  pharasees,  i.e. 
the  hypocrits,  of  His  time.  These  denunciations  are  but  little 
heeded  in  our  day,  like  many  other  of  His  admirable  precepts.  In 

fact,  if  He  appeared  among  us  to-day  He  would  hardly  recognize 

• 

the  majority  of  those  calling  themselves  His  followers. 

Numberless  lectures  have  been  delivered  and  hundreds  of 
treatises  written  on  the  subject ;  but  the  former  are  mostly  fre 
quented  by  those  already  enlightened  on  the  subject  and  the  latter 
read  exclusively  by  scholars  or  persons  of  a  higher  grade  of  educa 
tion,  thus  missing  the  masses,  in  other  words  those  most  in  need  of 
such  instruction.  The  story,  in  its  various  forms,  is  the  literature 
of  the  people,  and  it  is  the  recognition  of  this  fact  which  has  in 
duced  me  to  write  "THE  TREASURE  OF  MONTEZUMA,"  into  whose 


PREFACE.  5 

thrilling  incidents  the  lesson  in  question  has  been  woven  Whether 
this  thread  is  of  genuine  gold  or  a  spurious  article,  I  leave  the 
reader  to  decide,  begging  him  merely  to  believe  that  motives  of  the 
purest  benevolence  and  philanthropy  have  animated  me  in  its  com 
pilation,  and  that  the  conviction  of  having  added  my  mite  to  the 
amelioration  of  the  poor  and  oppressed  is  ample  reward  for  my  ex 
ertion. 

I  need  not,  at  this  place,  enlarge  on  the  principles  advocated  in 
this  volume,  but  simply  refer  the  curious  to  the  work  itself,  assur 
ing  them  that  the  few  hours  required  for  its  perusal  will  not  be  un 
pleasantly  or  uuprofitably  spent,  even  if  it  fail  in  making  them 
converts  to  the  principles  expounded  on  its  pages. 

RUDOLPH  LEONHART. 
Canton,  Ohio,  May  1st,  1888. 


THE  TREASURE  OF 

MONTEZUMA. 


CHAPTER  I. 

The  Reader  is  requested  to  retrace  the  stream  of  time  until  he 
reaches  the  fall  of  1877,  and  then  accompany  us  to  the  fair  regions 
of  Mexico,  the  land  around  which  romance  has  woven  her  mystic 
veil  more  than  any  other  country  of  the  new  world;  the  land  on 
which  nature,  with  lavish  hand,  has  wasted  all  her  bounties,  but 
which  the  folly  of  man  has  kept  so  poor  that  it  supports  with 
difficulty  its  scanty  population,  which  hardly  averages  thirteen  to 
the  square  mile. 

We  are  about  four  hundred  miles  north-west  of  the  Capital, 
near  the  place  where  the  Cordilleras  expand  into  the  table  lands 
which,  in  richness  of  produce,  salubrity  of  clime,  and  beauty  of 
scenery,  vie  with  the  most  highly  favored  portions  of  our  globe. 

All  this  is  now  wrapped  in  the  somber  mantle  of  a  September 
night,  but  the  moon  shines  and  sheds  sufficient  light  to  enable  us 
to  trace  the  dim  outlines  of  our  nearest  surroundings.  We  stand 
on  what  pretends  to  be  a  highway;  but  which,  in  reality,  can  hardly 
aspire  to  the  name  of  a  mule-path.  On  its  eastern  side  stands  a 
structure  of  the  humblest  dimensions  which,  as  an  uncouth  sign 
board  informs  us,  is  the  tavern  of  "Santa  Madre,"  devoted  to  the 
housing  of  man  and  beast.  It  is  built  of  sun-dried  brick,  and  boasts, 
as  we  see  on  entering,  of  only  two  apartments,  one  of  which  serves 
the  landlord  and  his  family  for  a  kitchen,  sitting,  dining  and  sleep- 


8  The  Treasure  of  Montezuina. 

ing  room,  while  the  other  shelters  the  chance  stranger  who,  on  rare 
occasions,  has  been  benighted  in  the  neighborhood. 

This  seems  to  be  the  case  at  the  time  of  our  visit,  for,  as  we 
gaze  through  the  only  window  into  the  moon-lit  room,  we  perceive 
a  man  stretched  on  a  low  bed,  held  apparently  in  the  bonds  of  a 
deep  slumber.  His  sleep  must,  indeed,  be  very  profound,  for  he 
evidently  fails  to  hear  the  noise  emanating  from  a  determined  effort 
to  open  the  door.  Presently  this  effort  is  crowned  with  success,  for 
suddenly  the  door  opens,  admitting  a  man  who  walks  with  stealthy 
steps  to  the  bed.  In  his  hand  he  holds  a  dagger,  a  sign  that  he  will 
not  allow  the  awaking  of  a  single  sleeper  to  thwart  his  purpose.  Is 
the  sleeper  aware  of  his  danger?  However  this  may  be,  he  never 
opens  his  eyes  whilst  the  intruder  subjects  his  garments  to  a 
thorough  search  and  causes  the  contents  of  their  pockets  to  wander 
into  his  own.  When  he  has  done  he  seizes  the  saddle-bags  standing 
on  the  bed  between  the  sleeper  and  the  wall,  casts  a  last  scrutinizing 
glance  at  his  victim,  and  then  leaves  the  room  with  an  assurance 
which  only  a  long  practice  in  a  career  of  crime  can  bestow. 

When  the  robber  reaches  the  open  air,  he  listens  once  more 
attentively  and  then  walks  behind  the  house,  whither  we  follow 
him  just  in  time  to  see  him  enter  an  open  shed,  wrhere  a  mule  is 
stabled.  He  seems  at  home  here,  for  he  bridles  and  saddles  the 
animal  without  any  hesitation  whatever,  fastens  the  saddle-bags  in 
their  proper  place,  and  then  leads  the  mule  into  the  road.  He 
keeps  on  the  sod  lining  the  way,  with  the  evident  intention  of 
effecting  a  noiseless  departure.  He  mounts  with  the  ease  and  grace 
of  an  accomplished  rider  and  putting  spurs  to  the  mule,  causes  it  to 
break  into  a  brisk  trot.  As  he  disappears  in  the  dim  light,  we  hear 
a  suppressed  chuckle  vibrating  through  the  night  air,  an  indication 
that  he  keenly  enjoys  a  deed  so  much  at  variance  with  the  laws  of 
civilized  societ}r. 

Our  highwayman,  however,  plays  too  important  a  role  in  our 
narrative  to  lose  sight  of  him;  so,  good  reader,  mount  behind  and 
ride  with  him  through  the  balmy  night  air,  until  the  rising  sun 
permits  us  to  cast  a  scrutinizing  glance  at  him. 

Indeed,  our  robber  is  no  mean  personage  to  look  upon.  He  is 
hardly  over  twenty-one,  and  of  a  stature  at  once  graceful  and 
athletic.  He  stands  probably  five  feet  ten  in  his  socks,  and  his 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  9 

body  is  so  well  proportioned  as  to  excite  the  admiration  of  even  a 
casual  observer.  His  hair  is  curly  and  of  a  raven  blackness,  a  light 
mustache  of  the  same  color  heightens  the  expression  of  confident 
nonchalance,  not  to  say  impudence,  unmistakably  imprinted  on  his 
handsome  countenance.  His  eyes  show  that  dreamy  veiled  con 
tentment  which  we  notice  in  the  tiger  when,  after  a  hearty  meal  he 
cowers  on  the  floor  of  his  cage  to  dream  of  his  native  jungles.  When 
thus  seen,  he  might  be  considered  a  very  harmless  creature, 
but  throw  a  pebble  at  him  and  a  sudden  lurid  flash  from  his  eyes 
will  cause  you  to  congratulate  yourself  that  the  heavy  bars  prevent 
a  more  intimate  acquaintance  on  his  part.  His  nose  is  well  shaped, 
after  the  Grecian  pattern.  His  finely  chiseled  lips  betray  animal 
courage  and  self-will.  His  face  shows  the  rosy  color  of  youth  and 
health,  although  the  the  ring,  under  his  eyes  betray  the  frequent 
indulgence  of  sensual  passions.  The  youth  is  clad  in  the  pictur 
esque  costume  of  the  country,  the  loose  jacket  and  the  trowsers  slit 
to  the  knee,  and  trimmed  with  silver  buttons.  A  sombrero  tilted 
jauntily  on  his  curly  head  adds  to  the  air  of  deviltry  so  plainly 
stamped  upon  the  whole  apparition. 

We  have  hardly  finished  our  observation,  when  the  robber  also 
benefited  by  the  first  rays  of  the  sun  to  examine  the  fruits  of  his 
nightly  enterprise.  Thrusting  his  hand  into  his  breast  pocket,  he 
drew  forth  several  papers  and  carelessly  glanced  at  them;  but  what 
he  saw  evidently  attracted  his  attention  in  an  extraordinary  degree, 
for  he  started  so  violently  that  his  mule  gave  a  sudden  jump  which 
came  near  landing  him  on  the  ground.  After  a  vicious  chastisment 
of  the  unlucky  animal,  he  gazed  once  more  at  the  paper  and 
muttered  audibly: 

"Mr.  Arthur  Grau!    Why,  that  is  my  name.  Am  I  dreaming?" 

The  fellow  rubbed  his  eyes,  then  looked  again.  Sure  enough, 
there  it  was,  in  a  bold,  legible  hand.  "Mr.  Arthur  Grau,  in  care 
of  Anton  Stamm,  K —  — ,  Germany." 

"Well,  if  that  don't  beat  the  devil!"  The  robber  went  on 
soliloquizing,  "this  letter  can  hardly  be  designed  for  me,  and  yet 
there  is  no  other  Arthur  Grau  in  these  parts,  as  far  as  I  know. 
'In  care  of  Anton  Stamm,  K —  — ,  Germany.'  Let  me  see, 
haven't  I  an  uncle  by  that  name?  Why,  sure  enough,  my  mother's 
brother. 


10  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"How  forgetful  a  fellow  becomes  in  this  western  wilderness  ! 
But  what  can  this  mean?  How  did  this  letter  get  into  the  hands  of 
my  worthy  patron  in  the  tavern  of  Santa  Madre?  I  might  rack  my 
brain  till  dooms  day,  and  not  solve  this  puzzle;  so  here  goes," 

The  robber  unfolded  the  paper,  and  gave  another  start  on 
discovering  that  the  letter  was  written  in  german,  This  discovery, 
however,  did  not  seem  to  discomfit  him,  for  he  began  to  read  with 
an  ever  increasing  attention,  forgeting  even  to  advance  on  his 
journey.  His  steed  did  not  fail  to  benefit  by  this  unusual  indul 
gence  and,  coming  to  a  dead  stop,  began  to  brouse  on  such  herbs  as 
the  roadside  would  offer.  The  horseman  went  on  reading  without 
noticing,  much  less  checking,  such  unheard  of  liberty  on  the  part 
of  a  mule,  the  plainest  evidence  that  the  contents  of  the  letter  must 
indeed  have  been  of  a  very  captivating  nature.  It  would  hardly 
be  fair,  under  these  circumstances,  to  withhold  from  the  reader 
what  a  knight  of  the  road  is  permitted  to  enjoy,  and  we  therefore 
hasten  to  translate  the  letter  for  the  benefit  of  the  reader,  and  lay 
its  contents  before  him.  It  ran  thus: 

"FlUEDKNSTIIAL,    Jail.   1st,   1876. 

Mi/  Dear  Arthur: 

You  will,  I  trust,  pardon  me  for  addressing 

you  thus,  when  you  learn  from  your  foster-father  the  part  I  have 
played  in  your  past  life.  When  I  tell  you  that  it  was  I  who  directed 
your  education  and  defrayed  its  expenses,  it  is  certainly  not  with 
the  intention  of  eliciting  your  recognition  or  securing  your  grati 
tude.  Indeed,  I  have  no  right  whatever  to  excite  such  feelings  in 
your  bosom;  for  when  I  befriended  the  orphan  son  of  a  beloved 
cousin,  I  acted  as  much  in  the  interest  of  mankind  in  general  as 
your  own.  It  surpasses  the  compass  of  a 'letter  to  give  a  lengthy 
explanation  of  my  conduct  and  the  motive  shaping  it;  let  it  suffice 
to  state  that  the  rude  hand  with  which  the  world  crushed  my 
youthful  aspirations  for  the  betterment  of  our  race,  filled  me  with 
a  bitter  hatred  for  institutions  which  boast  of  so  much  wisdom  and 
benevolence,  but  which,  in  reality,  are  nothing  but  a  cruel  fraud, 
practiced  by  a  selfish  few  upon  the  masses.  At  first  a  bitter  feeling 
of  my  utter  inability  to  correct  these  wrongs  made  a  misanthrope 
of  me,  and  drove  me  into  the  wilderness,  where  the  savage  and  the 
beast  show  more  affection  for  their  kind  than  the  standard  bearers 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma,.  11 

of  a  so  called  civilization.  There  a  lucky  fate  put  me  in  possession 
of  boundless  wealth,  and  thus  furnished  me  the  means  of  warring 
against  the  enemies  of  the  human  race  and  of  bettering  its  condition. 
I  reserve  for  oral  communication  the  recital  of  my  doings,  and 
now  merely  say,  come  and  aid  me  in  a  work  more  glorious  and  sub 
lime  than  that  of  conquerors  or  diplomats.  I  fore-saw  the  necessity 
of  an  assistant  long  since,  and  when,  nineteen  years  ago,  I  found  you 
a  helpless  and  forsaken  orphan,  I  resolved  to  educate  in  you  a  fit  and 
worthy  successor  to  my  plans  and  aspirations.  I  needed  a  being 
unhampered  by  prejudices,  unbaised  by  superstition,  unfettered  by 
bigotry;  and  where  could  I  find  one  less  so  than  in  an  infant  so  totally 
free  from  the  bonds  of  kin  and  affection.  Gladly  I  would  have 
superintended  your  education  in  person,  but  my  almost  constant 
travels  over  land  and  sea  forbade  all  thoughts  of  indulging  in  such 
a  pleasant  task.  So  I  looked  around  for  a  proper  substitute,  and 
was  fortunate  enough  to  find  him  in  Anton  Stamm.  Your  prepar 
atory  education  has  now  been  finished,  and  if  half  of  what  your 
foster-father  writes  is  true;  if  your  mind  is  stored  with  useful 
knowledge;  if  your  body  has  been  hardened  and  trained  by  manly 
sports  of  every  description;  if  your  heart  is  softened  by  love  and 
sympathy  for  your  race;  if  your  soul  is  imbued  with  the  fiery  hatred 
of  sordid  selfishness  and  oppression  of  every  kind;  then,  my  son,  you 
will  require  no  urging  to  obey  my  summons.  You  will  glory  in 
the  work  marked  out  for  you,  and  long  to  earn  the  noblest  title  to 
which  a  human  being  can  aspire,  the  title  of  a  benefactor  of  your 
race.  Anton  Stamm  will  furnish  you  with  the  funds  necessary  for 
your  journey.  To  find  me  mark  the  following  directions;  land  at 
Vera  Cruz  and  precede  by  the  capital  to  the  hamlet  of  Villa, 
situated  on  the  Pacific  Coast  at  its  intersection ,  with  the  twenty- 
seventh  parallel  of  north  latitude.  Thence  procede  northward  until 
you  reach  the  Rio  Frio.  Follow  its  left  bank  upstream  to  where 
the  Cordillares  bound  its  banks  with  lofty  cliffs.  Await  the  ebb 
Avhich  will  lay  bare  a  narrow  ledge,  on  the  left  bank.  Follow  this 
ledge  until  a  waterfall  shuts  off  all  further  progress  in  the  ravine. 
At  the  extreme  edge  of  the  cataract  you  will  see  an  iron  bar  pro 
truding  from  a  rock;  bend  this  in  a  southern  direction,  and  await 
the  result.  In  expectation  of  an  early  meeting, 

Your  friend  and  father,  HERBERT  GRAU." 


12  The  Treasure  of  Montezintia. 

When  the  robber  had  finished  reading,  he  mused  a  few 
moments  and  then  said  with  a  cynical  laugh: 

"I  begin  to  comprehend.  This  precious  epistle  was  intended 
forthat  milksop,  cousin  Arthur,  who  used  to  live  with  Uncle  Anton. 
He  was  always  a  lucky  dog,  this  Arthur  was;  but  I  shall  take  care 
to  keep  this  fat  plum  from  falling  into  his  lap.  So,  this  Mexican 
gold  uncle  is  no  m}th  after  all.  I  must  confess,  I  had  never  taken 
much  stock  in  the  story;  a  proof  that  the  smartest  of  us  can  err,  but 
it  is  not  too  late  to  abjure  my  unbelief.  By  St.  Mercury,  our 
patron,  I  shall  hencefourth  swear  only  by  Uncle  Herbert  and  roast 
him  alive  who  casts  the  merest  shadow  of  a  doubt  on  his  identity. 
And  boundless  wealth  has  he?  Well,  in  that  case  it  is  my  unmis 
takable  duty  to  relieve  him  of  a  portion  of  his  burden,  for  the 
bible  in'brms  us  that  wealth  has  its  great  perils  and  often  hinders 
us  from  entering  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  1  would  not  like  to 
have  it  said  of  me  that  any  remission  of  mine  had  imperiled  my 
uncle's  soul.  Judging  from  this  letter,  he  is  crazy  as  a  loon;  but 
what  is  the  odds?  I  rather  like  crazy  uncles,  provided  they  are 
rich.  But  if  I  am  to  act  my  cousin's  part,  I  ought  to  post  myself 
a  little  better  concerning  his  affairs,  to  keep  from  committing  any 
awkward  blunders.  Perhaps  these  other  papers  will  give  some  val 
uable  hints  concerning  the  best  mode  of  proceeding." 

With  these  words  the  robber  began  to  unfold  a  second  paper; 
but  no  sooner  had  he  cast  a  glance  at  the  contents,  when  he  uttered 
a  lively  ejaculation  of  surprise  and  exclaimed  with  a  boisterous 
laugh : 

"By  St.  Mercury,  this  is  evidently  the  day  of  miracles!  Only  last 
night  I  disputed  with  fat  rather  Ambrosio  the  existence  of  such 
things,  and  now  my  own  experience  convinces  me  that  he  is  right. 
Here  I  hold  iti  my  hand  the  passport  of  my  brother  Philip,  duly 
installed  premier  of  his  Majesty,  the  King  of  B —  — .  Ho!  it 
seems,  my  worthy  brother  has  risen  in  the  world.  Herr  von  Grau, 
too!  Ha,  ha!  we  are  big  bugs  now,  and  I  will  have  to  get  my  coat 
of  arms  painted.  But  wasn't  it  lucky  that  Brother  Philip  is  blessed 
with  such  a  sound  slumber!  Else  he  might  wander  now  in  the 
realms  of  the  blessed  and  I  bear  on  my  brow  the  mark  of  Cain. 
Arthur  Grau,  you  will  have  to  read  a  fellow's  pedigree  hereafter 
before  tickling  his  ribs  with  your  dagger,  that  is  evident.  But 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  13 

Avhat  in  the  world  can  that  fellow  want  in  Mexico?  Stop  Arthur, 
don't  stultify  yourself,  you  know  that  his  appearance  always  means 
mischief,  and  that  Uncle  Herbert's  money  has  brought  him  in  this 
particular  case.  By  St.  Mercury,  I  am  almost  sorry  he  slept  so 
soundly;  at  all  events,  if  I  had  dispatched  him,  the  world  would 
have  owed  me  a  big  debt  of  gratitude.  But  as  to  Uncle's  money, 
why,  I'll  spoil  the  little  game  for  him.  If  I  had  hesitated  before, 
this  discovery  would  settle  it.  But  let  us  see  whether  there  are 
more  miracles  in  store." 

The  next  paper  which  the  robber  unfolded  was  again  a  letter. 
Instead  of  all  further  comments,  let  us  look  over  the  fellow's 
shoulder  and  read  with  him: 

"ANTONS  RUHE,  July  15th,  1877. 
My  dearly  beloved  Philip  : 

I  cannot  resist  the  temptation  of 

sending  you  a  few  affectionate  lines  to  the  far  west.  You  cannot 
imagine  how  I  miss  you.  Ah  Philip,  I  wish  you  had  never  left  me, 
for  since  your  departure  my  conscience  has  troubled  me  sorely  as  to 
the  part  I  have  played  in  my  uncle's  premature  death.  Of  course, 
it  was  a  stroke  of  apoplexy;  but  if  it  had  not  been  for  my  stealing 
that  letter,  the  blow  might  have  been  delayed,  if  not  averted. 
Philip,  I  have  bought  you  at  a  fearful  cost.  You  belong  to  me 
and  woe  to  him  or  her  who  comes  between  us.  I  trust  you  will 
return  to  me.  If  you  do  not,  1  shall  follow  you  to  the  uttermost 
ends  of  the  earth  and  claim  my  own. 

Your  loving  BERTHA." 

"Whew!  What  a  tigress!  And  yet,  I  would  rather  like  to  be 
wooed  in  that  fiery  fashion.  It  would  be  a  pleasant  change  from 
the  tame  affairs  which  all  my  amours  have  thus  far  proved.  Can 
that  possibly  be  Bertha  Stamm,  the  gentle  little  girl  who  used  to 
live  with  Uncle  Anton?  It  surely  must  be  she,  although  this  fiery 
language  does  not  much  resemble  the  gentle  lass  I  used  to  know. 
But  she  loves  him  and  that  accounts  for  it.  I  truly  believe  the 
contact  whith  him  could  change  a  very  angel  into  a  demon.  But 
this  letter  comes  very  opportune.  I  think  I  know  enough  now  to 
play  my  role  to  perfection.  I  am  Arthur  Grau,  the  milksop,  who 


14  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

comes  to  obey  the  summons  of  his  worthy  uncle  and  protector.  He 
brings  the  sad  news  of  the  untimely  death  of  the  man  who  has 
watched  over  him  in  the  days  of  his  boyhood;  striking  tableau, 
moistened  by  copious  tears  shed  in  memory  of  the  departed  friend. 
What  an  opportunity  for  the  display  of  the  dramatic  talent  which 
they  always  told  me  I  possessed!  True  the  sojourn  in  that  cranky 
Uncle's  house  is  likely  to  prove  an  unmitigated  bore;  but  it  must 
be  endured  in  "consideration  of  the  great  gain  to  be  obtained. 
Besides  if  women,  rum  and  cigars  can  be  found  in  the  neighbor 
hood,  life  cannot  be  totally  without  its  charm." 

Our  highwayman  then  continued  to  examine  his  plunder.  He 
found  and  unlimited  letter  of  credit  which  he  flung  away  with  a 
contemptuous  sneer,  saying: 

"Just  like  the  contemptible  cur  he  is.  A  gentleman  would  have 
carried  a  purse  of  gold  or  a  roll  of  bank  notes  and  thus  have  given  a 
fellow  an  opportunity  of  earning  an  honest  penny.  Now  let  us 
cast  a  glance  into  his  saddlebag.  I  wager  the  contents  are  as  mean 
as  the  owner.  No,  by  St.  Mercury,  here  is  really  a  small  purse, 
hardly  worthy  of  a  Premier,  and  here  is  a  fine  broadcloth  suit  with 
plenty  of  linen  to  keep  up  the  character  of  high  pretensions  which 
I  am  expected  to  maintain.  Well,  that  completes  the  necessary 
outfit  and  we  can  begin  with  the  comedy,  for  such,  I  trust  it  will 
turn  out  to  be.  Besides,  it  might  not  be  wise  to  tarry  here  too  long, 
for  though  I  laugh  at  the  Mexican  police,  I  do  not  wish  to  encounter 
any  risks  just  now  which  might  retard  the  raising  of  the  curtain." 

With  this  he  put  spurs  to  the  mule  and  soon  vanishes  in  the 
cloud  of  cust  which  his  speedy  departure  created. 


CHAPTER  II. 

PERPLEXITIES. 


It  is  a  week  later.  Benefiting  by  our  superior  knowledge,  we 
have  betaken  ourselves  by  private  conveyance  to  the  hamlet  of 
Villa,  to  await  the  arrival  of  our  friend  the  highwayman.  Such 
little  places  are  very  dull,  without  regard  to  the  fact  that  the  curi. 


The  Treasure  of  Monies  uma.  15 

osity  of  the  natives  is  apt  to  worry  one  to  death.  We  are  therefore 
very  glad  to  see  our  acquaintance  soon  after  make  his  appearance. 
He  has  no  mule  now,  but  disembarks  from  a  coasting  vessel,  carry 
ing  his  possessions  in  a  small  bundle.  He  puts  up  at  the  only 
tavern  of  the  place  and  orders  a  meal,  which  he  washes  down  with 
copious  draughts  of  rum.  While  he  eats  and  drinks  he  asks  the 
landlord  numerous  questions,  which  that  worthy  is  only  too  glad  to 
answer  to  the  best  of  his  ability. 

"Do  you  happen  to  know  a  Sennor  Grau,  in  these  parts?"  the 
stranger  at  length  inquired,  carelessly. 

"A  Sennor  who? " 

The  stranger  repeated  the  name. 

"Perhaps  you  mean  Sennor  Grayo?"  the  host  inquired,  lowering 
his  voice  almost  to  a  whisper.  The  Holy  A'irgin  protect  us,  I'd 
like  to  know  who  don't  know  him?  " 

"Well,  tell  me  all  about  him  then ;  where  does  he  live?  " 

"Live?  Why,  that  is  hard  to  say.  In  truth,  nobody  has  ever 
been  at  his  house." 

"Well,  what  does  he  do  then  ? " 

"Do?  I  would  be  very  happy  to  know  myself.  Nobody  has 
ever  seen  Sennor  Grayo." 

"Not  seen  him?  How  the  duce  do  they  know  then  there  is 
such  a  person?" 

Oh  !  for  that  matter,  "  don't  we  know  that  there  is  a  devil?  I 
have  never  seen  him,  but  father  Antonio  swears  that  he  exists 
nevertheless." 

"Well  parried,"  replied  the  stranger  with  a  laugh.  "But  Sennor 
Grayo  is  not  the  devil,  you  know." 

' '  Well  if  he  is  not  the  devil  himself,  he  surely  is  in  league  with 
him,"  whispered  the  landlord,  looking  shyly  around  as  if  afraid  of 
of  being  overheard. 

"But  what  makes  you  think  so?"  inquired  the  stranger,  who 
was  evidenty  amused  at  the  other's  curious  notions. 

Again  the  host  looked  around  with  a  troubled  contenance. 

"It  is  not  safe  to  talk  about  these  matters,"  he  wispered.  "Per 
sons  who  talked  ill  of  him  have  suddenly  disappeared  in  a  mysteri 
ous  manner.  Queer  noises  have  been  heard  about  the  Rio  Frio, 
which  seems  to  be  one  of  his  favorite  haunts.  In  the  mountains 


16  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

near  by  one  can  hear  the  thunder  rolling  while  there  is  not  a  cloud 
in  the  sky.  In  the  night  lurid  flames  are  often  seen  to  shoot  from 
the  mountain  tops,  and  many  other  wonderful  signs  and  mani 
festations.  Now,  if  that  is  no  proof  that  the  devil  has  a  hand  in 
this  game,  I  should  like  to  know  what  is." 

"I  stand  convinced,"  the  stranger  replied  with  a  numerous 
grin  on  his  handsome  face;  then  paid  his  bill,  took  up  his  bundle 
and  went  to  the  little  bay  which  served  the  people  of  the  hamlet  as 
a  port.  He  found  several  fishermen  lounging  about  near  their  boats, 
and  the  languid  manner  in  which  they  replied  to  his  greeting  con 
vinced  him  that  the  fish  of  the  neighborhood  were  not  in  any  very 
imminent  danger  of  their  lives. 

"Can  I  hire  a  sail-boat  here?"  the  stranger  addressed  them. 

This  question  suddenly  put  life  into  the  lazy  group. 

"  Si,  Sennor,"  a  dozen  voices  responded  eagerly,  while  their  own 
ers  sprang  to  their  feet  with  a  rapidity  which  iormed  not  only  a 
striking  contrast  to  their  former  indolence,  but  also  proved  plainly 
how  slim  the  chance  was  to  earn  an  extra  penny  in  that  vicinity. 

"  Very  well;  what  will  you  charge  me  a  day?" 

"Two  dollars." 

"One  dollar." 

' '  Ah  !  Francisco  has  merely  a  tub,  and  a  handkerchief  for  a 
sail ;  the  Sennor  would  not  be  safe  with  him.  I  have  a  boat  that  is 
a  boat.  Just  look  at  her  ;  isn't  she  a  beauty?  " 

"She  will  stand  muster,"  said  the  stranger  stepping  into  the 
craft  without  further  parly.  "Can  you  take  me  at  once  to  the  Rio 
Frio?" 

The  effect  of  these  few  words  was  almost  magical.  The  crowd 
started  as  if  a  scorpion  had  bit  them,  and  the  owner  of  the  boat  that 
was  a  boat,  exclaimed,  with  an  audible  trepidation  in  his  voice; 

"The  Rio  Frio!  Don't  the  Sennor  know  that  the  river  is 
haunted." 

"Your  brain  is  haunted  by  tomfooleries,  that  is  evident,"  the 
stranger  retorted  impatiently.  "  Will  you  take  me  or  not?" 

"I  would  like  to  accommodate  the  Sennor  very  much,"  the  man 
replied  humbly  enough,  "  but  the  peril  of  my  soul " 

"The  duce  take  your  soul,"  the  stranger  cried,  in  a  passion. 


The  Treasure  of  Montezumn.  17 

"If  you  fellows  are  too  stupid  to  take  my  good  money,  that  is  no 
reason  why  I  should  waste  my  breath  on  you." 

With  a  curse  on  his  lips  he  turned,  and  was  on  the  point  of 
leaving,  when  a  youthful  voice  stopped  him; 

•'Sennor,  if  you  will  pay  me  five  dollars,  I  will  take  you  to  the 
Rio  Frio." 

The  stranger  turned  rapidly,  and  saw  a  lad  of  about  sixteen 
standing  before  him. 

"  What  is  your  name  ?  "  he  asked  abruptly. 

"Pedro,  Sennor." 

•'  Can  you  manage  a  boat?" 

"Pedro  is  one  of  the  best  among  us,"  an  old  man  answered 
instead.  "The  Sennor  may  trust  him  without  fear." 

"  He  is  certainly  the  bravest  among  you,"  the  stranger  replied 
with  a  sneer;  "  which  is,  after  all,  not  paying  him  a  great  compli 
ment.  But  tell  me,  Pedro,  how  does  it  come  that  you  dare  to  ven 
ture  a  thing  of  which  your  comrad<  s  seem  to  be  so  much  afraid?" 

The  youth  smiled  cunningly.  "You  see,  Sennor,"  he  replied, 
I  have  an  amulet  which  makes  me  safe  against  the  wiles  of  the 
evil  one." 

"Aha!"  the  robber  replied  with  a.  boisterous  laugh  ;  "that  is 
the  basis  on  which  your  courage  rests?  "Well,  I  reckon,  your  amu 
let  will  serve  me  too,  and  your  demand  can  therefore  not  be  con 
sidered  extravagant.  I  accede  to  it  on  condition  that  we  start  with 
out  delay." 

Pedro  declared  that  he  would  need  only  fifteen  minutes  to  lay 
in  some  provisions.  He  ran  to  the  hamlet  and  returned  before  the 
expiration  of  the  stipulated  respite.  Throwing  a  bundle  into  the 
boat,  announced  his  readiness  to  embark.  We  know  the  robber  to 
be  a  man  of  few  words.  He  followed  the  example  of  Pedro.  The 
sail  was  hoisted  ,x  and  quickly  and  gracefully  the  boat  glided  from 
the  bay.  The  wind  was  favorable  and,  Pedro  proving  to  be  an  apt 
sailor,  the  distance  to  the  Rio  Frio  was  traversed  before  the  sun 
had  reached  his  meridian.  As  they  neared  the  mouth,  Pedro  be 
came  more  and  more  engaged  with  his  amulet,  which  he  clasped 
with  an  earnest  ferver  and  eyed  with  unbounded  faith. 

"Does  the  Sennor  wish  to  land  here?"  he  asked  with  evident 
anxiety. 


18  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"No,  my  lad,  I  want  you  to  take  me  up  the  river  to  the  first 
spurs  of  the  Cordilleras." 

"But  Sen  nor— 

"None  of  your  buts'  master  Pedro.  I  want  to  go  to  the  spurs 
of  the  Cordilleras,  and  if  you  know  what  is  to  your  interest  you 
will  take  me  there  in  the  shortest  time.  Do  you  understand  me, 
Sennor ?" 

The  look  which  accompanied  these  words  was  so  significant  that 
the  dullest  could  not  have  failed  to  comprehend  it.  4  Pedro, 
however,  was  a  clever  lad  and  much  more  inclined  to  face  the 
malice  of  evil  spirits  than  the  anger  of  the  reckless  man  in  whose 
power  he  had  placed  himself.  So  he  obeyed  without  further  re 
monstrance,  but  the  pallor  of  his  face  increased  with  every  mile, 
and  when  the  cliffs  alluded  to  came  in  sight  he  had  become  so 
deadly  pale  that  even  the  calloused  heart  of  the  adventurer  was 
touched. 

"That  will  do  Pedro,"  he  said  "you  may  land  me  at  yonder 
ledge.  Here  is  your  money.  And  now  be  off  or  the  devil  will 
swallow  you  alive."  Pedro  did  not  fail  to  benefit  by  this  hint. 
With  a  respectful  adieu  he  pushed  off  and,  aided  by  the  receding 
tide,  soon  managed  to  get  out  of  sight  of  the  cliffs  and  their  dreaded 
occupants.  The  bandit  on  the  other  hand  looked  around,  and  per 
ceiving  that  several  hours  must  expire  before  the  ebb  was  at  its 
lowest,  calmly  lit  a  cigar,  and,  throwing  himself  on  the  ground, 
stoically  waited  the  moment  which  would  allow  further  actions. 

It  was  nearly  four  o'clock  when  the  water  had  sufficiently  re 
ceded  to  lay  bare  the  ledge  mentioned  in  the  letter.  No  sooner 
had  this  happened  when  he  arose  and  entered  the  ravine,  walking 
with  a  careless  indifference  truly  remarkable  under  the  circumstan 
ces.  He  was  totally  ignorant  of  what  the  next  hour  would  bring. 
The  gossip  of  the  villagers  might  well  have  staggered  a  man  of 
nerve,  without  regard-  to  the  fact  that  a  discovery  of  his  fi-aud 
must  expose  him  to  the  wrath  of  the  man  or  men  he  was  to  meet. 
In  spite  of  all  this  the  bandit  merely  felt  for  his  revolver,  and  then 
overcame  the  difficulties  of  his  way  with  so  much  ease  and  vigor 
that  he  reached  the  water-fall  before  the  expiration  of  another  hour. 
He  walked  to  its  near  edge  and  discovered  without  difficulty  an 
iron  bar  an  inch  in  thickness  which  projected  about  two  feet  from 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  19 

the  rock.  Thus  far  everything  had  tallied  with  the  letter,  and  now 
nothing  remained  but  to  obey  its  last  injunction,  and  turn  the  lever, 
What  was  to  come  of  it?  Was  the  letter  the  fabrication  of  a 
diseased  mind?  Was  it  the  invention  of  a  practical  joke?  Was  it 
the  trap  of  a  malignant  designer?  Who  could  tell?  Dare-devil  as 
this  bandit  was,  his  hand  shook  a  little  as  he  stretched  it  forth  to 
seize  the  bar.  Now  he  held  it ;  but  his  hesitancy,  if  such  he  felt, 
lasted  but  a  second  and,  with  a  sudden  jerk,  he  bent  the  lever  as 
directed. 

Hark !  What  can  this  sudden  rumbling  in  the  bowels  of  the 
mountains  signify?  It  sounds  as  if  mighty  torrents  had  burst  their 
fetters  and  were  now  rushing  forth  on  a  mad  career  of  destruction. 
They  seemed  to  seeth  and  roll  on  all  sides  of  the  adventurer,  and 
soon  the  angry  waters  began  to  rush  from  cracks  and  crevices. 
Could  the  gossip  of  the  villagers  after  all  be  true  ?  Had  mighty 
spirits  combined  here  to  work  the  ruin  of  the  bold  mortal  who  had 
dared  to  invade  their  dominion?  If  these  floods  increased  his  death 
would  be  inevitable,  for  they  would  overtake  the  fleetest  runner 
long  before  he  could  reach  the  mouth  of  the  ravine.  The  bandit 
stood  aghast,  and  for  a  moment  something  like  repentence  for  his 
rashness  filled  his  soul.  He  looked  around  for  some  avenue  of  re 
treat,  when  suddenly  the  freaks  of  the  cataract  before  him  engaged 
his  whole  attention.  The  mighty  masses,  which  a  moment  ago  had 
thundered  into  the  abyss  below,  ceased  to  fall,  the  rocks  below  the 
projecting  upper  ledge  split  as  if  by  magic,  and  in  the  dark  recesses 
thus  formed  several  figures  came  into  view  which  caused  the  bandit 
to  grasp  his  revolver  and  prepare  it  for  immediate  use.  He  saw 
indian  warriors  clad  in  all  the  finery  of  their  race.  A  leather 
hunting  frock  fell  to  their  knees;  leggins  of  the  same  material 
covered  their  lower  limbs,  and  moccasins  encased  their  feet.  Their 
heads  were  bare,  but  an  eagle  feather,  stuck  in  their  scalp  locks, 
gave  them  a  martial  appearance.  Their  intentions,  however,  seemed 
very  peaceful,  for  the  foremost  one,  who  appeared  to  be  the  leader, 
smiled,  waved  his  hand  in  salutation,  and  then  beckoned  the  new 
comer  to  come  nearer.  The  latter  saw  that  a  retreat  was  now  too 
late,  so,  putting  on  a  bold  face,  he  climbed  up  the  slippery  rock  be 
fore  him  and  stood  beside  the  indian,  who  extended  his  hand  and 
said  in  Spanish : 


20  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"My  brother  is  welcome  ;  has  he  the  paper  of  the  white  father, 
which  speaks  ? " 

"The  letter,  you  mean,  Redskin?" 

"My  name,  Montezuma,"  the  Indian  responded  gravely. 

"Montezuma  or  Mountebank,  for  all  I  care.  If  you  mean  the 
letter,  here  it  is." 

The  Indian  received  the  document  with  his  customary  gravity, 
looked  at  the  signature,  and  said  : 

"  It  is  well ;  I  shall  take  my  brother  to  the  white  father;  but 
first  he  must  let  me  bandage  his  eyes." 

"Bandage  my  eyes?     What  is  that  for?" 

"It  is  the  order  of  the  white  father." 

"You  seem  to  be  a  funny  set  of  cronies.  Why  in  the  name  of 
common  sense  am  I  to  be  blindfolded  ?  I  hate  such  mummeries." 

"It  is  the  order  of  the  white  father,"  the  Indian  replied  with 
his  unruffled  equanimity. 

"Hang  the  white  father!"  muttered  the  bandit  quite  audibly. 
Then  as  if  suddenly  recollecting  that  further  remonstrances  would 
be  as  useless  as  they  were  imprudent,  he  said  aloud : 

"Well,  have  it  your  own  way:  When  one  is  among  the  wolves, 
he  must  howl." 

Without  wasting  another  word  the  Indian  drew  forth  a  bandage 
and  fastened  it  over  the  stranger's  eyes  so  securely  that  not  a  ray 
of  light  could  find  its  way  into  them.  Then,  the  guide  took  his 
hand  and  said  laconically:  "Come." 

The  bandit  obeyed.  As  they  started,  he  heard  once  more  the 
rushing  of  the  mighty  waters,  and  judged  that  the  river  had  been 
led  back  into  its  old  channel  and  that  he  wTas  thus  completely  in 
the  power  of  the  man  he  meant  to  deceive  in  so  outrageous  a  man 
ner.  But  if  he  quailed  within,  he  gave  no  outward  sign  of  fear 
and  allowed  himself  to  be  led  with  the  docility  of  a  child.  He 
could,  of  course,  form  no  idea  of  the  way  they  were  pursuing,  but 
he  felt  that  the  path  was  undulating  and  from  the  hollow  echo  of 
their  steps  he  formed  the  conclusion  that  they  were  traversing  some 
subterranean  passage.  How  long  they  marched  he  had  no  idea. 
The  time  consumed  on  such  occassions  seemes  generaly  endless, 
and  almost  always  exceeds  the  real  distance.  At  all  events  the 
bandit  was  by  no  means  sorry  when  the  guide  finally  stopped  and, 
taking  off  his  bandage,  exclaimed  : 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  21 

"  We  have  arrived  :  once  more  ray  brother  is  welcome  ! " 

The  bandit  might  have  replied  in  his  usual  cynical  style,  if  the 
strange  contrast  between  his  present  surroundings  and  those  of  the 
earlier  hours  of  the  afternoon  had  not  so  completely  overwhelmed 
as  to  deprive  him,  for  a  few  moments  of  the  power  of  utterance. 
He  gazed  around  as  one  bewildered.  To  his  right  he  saw  a  long  but 
narrow  lake,  fill  a  natural  depression,  closed  at  its  near  end  by  a 
short  but  massive  wall,  which  showed  beyond  doubt  that  the  lake 
was  the  Avork  of  man  and  not  of  nature.  In  front  and  to  the  left 
a  region  of  most  idyllic  beauty  came  to  view.  Here  and  there  a 
farm  house  or  barn  arose  from  clusters  of  trees,  while  cultivated 
fields,  meadows  of  the  freshest  green  and  orchards  of  a  tropical 
luxuriance  spoke  of  the  industry  of  man.  The  place  where  the 
bandit  stood  seemed  to  be  the  terminus  of  a  large  valley,  bounded 
on  both  sides  with  steep  mountains,  which  united  behind  his  back 
but  diverged  on  the  right  and  left,  extending  to  the  north-east  as 
far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  and  embracing  with  rough  but  sheltering 
arms  a  valley  of  indescribable  beauty  and  lovliness.  At  the  distance 
of  about  a  mile,  and  touching  the  lake,  the  bewildered  bandit  per 
ceived  a  cluster  of  houses,  interspersed  with  the  same  rich  foliage 
he  had  noticed  elsewhere,  which  seemed  to  be  a  village  of  consider 
able  size.  On  the  lake  several  sail  boats  could  be  seen  plowing  the 
crystal  flood,  while  numerous  fishermen  plyed  their  handicraft.  In 
the  fields  laborers  moved  about,  variously  engaged  in  the  pursuit 
of  agriculture.  So  startling  was  this  scene  in  its  overwhelming 
lovliness  that  the  bandit  rubbed  his  eyes  repeatedly  and  finally 
stammered  in  confusion  : 

•<  What  is  this?     Where  am  I?" 

"In  Friedensthal,"  the  indian  replied  with  undisturbed  gravity. 
"Is  my  brother  ready  to  meet  the  white  father?" 

The  solemn  manner  of  the  indian  had  the  effect  of  calling  the 
bandit  to  his  senses.  He  felt  piqued  at  having  suffered  himself  to 
be  thus  upset  by  this  novel  and  unexpected  sight.  He  also  felt 
that  a  crisis  was  rapidly  approaching  which  would  tax  his  ingenuity 
to  the  utmost,  and  surely  work  his  ruin  unless  he  regained  his 
usual  composure.  Thus,  with  an  effort,  he  shook  off  the  spell  under 
which  he  had  labored  and,  resuming  his  usual  careless  manner,  said 
indifferently  :  "Go  ahead,  I  shall  follow." 


22  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 


CHAPTER  III. 

FIRST    IMPRESSIONS. 

We  must  now  leave  the  bandit  for  a  little  while  and  beg  the 
reader  to  accompany  us  to  Montezuma,  the  capital  of  this  com 
munity,  with  which  he  has  become  acquainted  under  the  name  of 
Friedensthal.  Reserving  its  description  for  another  occasion,  we 
enter  one  of  its  dwellings,  situated  at  its  western  extremity.  It  is 
a  two-story  brick  building  of  considerable  dimensions  and  very 
tasteful  outlines.  Airy  porches,  from  which  steps  lead  to  the 
ground  on  all  sides,  large  open  windows  admit  the  air  to  the  inside. 
The  furniture,  though  not  costly,  is  of  solid  elegance,  betraying 
the  refinement  of  the  inmates.  In  one  room  we  see  a  handsome 
upright  piano,  while  another  contains  book-cases  well  stocked  with 
the  choicest  literary  productions  of  various  nations  and  ages  in  the 
original  text.  A  third  room  bears  the  character  of  an  office. 
There  is  a  writing  desk,  with  an  easy  chair  before  it ;  the  walls  are 
lined  with  shelves,  holding  labled  bottles  of  every  shape  and  size. 
On  opening  the  drawers  below  we  notice  numerous  instruments  of 
a  surgical  character,  which  lead  us  to  the  belief  that  the  owner 
must  be  an  adept  in  the  art  of  healing.  This  owner  just  then  en 
ters  the  room  and  so  striking  is  his  appearance  that,  at  his  sight,  all 
the  details  mentioned  sink  into  utter  insignificance.  We  judge 
him  to  be  about  fifty,  but,  from  some  cause  or  other,  his  brown 
hair  is  slightly  streaked  with  silver.  Nothing,  however,  indicates 
the  decay  of  age.  The  man  is  of  medium  height ;  his  frame  is 
well  knit,  without  being  burly.  His  head  is  one  of  those  which  im 
presses  us  deeply  and  is  not  easily  forgotten.  Under  a  massive 
brow  a  pair  of  dark  blue  eyes  look  at  us  with  a  glance  so  piercing 
that  it  seems  to  penetrate  our  very  soul.  But  there  is  nothing 
stern  about  them  ;  on  the  contrary,  the  light  emanating  from  them 
warms  our  heart  as  as  the  genial  fire  of  the  grate  warms  our  limbs 
on  a  chill  day.  His  lips  are  firm  without  being  hard ;  indeed,  the 
main  feature  of  his  contenance  has  an  indescribable  touch  of  be 
nevolence  stamped  upon  it  In  general  outline  it  resembles  Wash 
ington  and,  having  seen  it  once,  we  do  no  longer  wonder  at  the 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  23 

marvelous  influence  which  this  singular  man  has  gained  over  his 
surroundings. 

It  is  now  about  five  o'clock  on  the  same  afternoon  which 
witnessed  the  events  above  narrated.  The  person  just  described  is 
on  the  point  of  sitting  down  at  the  table  when,  suddenly,  a  little 
bell  rings,  resembling  that  of  a  telephone.  The  man  starts.  On 
the  repetition  of  the  signal  he  rises  with  youthful  energy,  walks  to 
an  apparatus  in  a  corner  and  begins  to  read  a  telegram  just  then 
arriving.  In  a  minute  he  has  caught  its  import ;  a  happy  smile 
lights  up  his  features,  and  with  rapid  steps  he  leaves  the  room. 
They  are  directed  towards  the  garden ;  a  garden  well  worthy  of  a 
moment's  pause. 

On  descending  the  steps  of  the  porch  we  first  reach  a  sward 
which  the  Emerald  Isle  could  not  have  shown  fresher  and  greener. 
No  wonder!  Crystal  fountains  of  the  most  phantastic  form,  in 
which  the  setting  sun  created  all  the  colors  of  the  rainbow,  played 
in  every  direction.  Besides  these,  numerous  brooks  are  running 
everywhere,  as  if  to  mock  the  very  idea  of  scarcity  of  water  for 
which  Mexico  is  so  badly  reputed.  Here  and  there  flowers  are  in 
terspersed,  on  which  the  flora  of  the  tropics  and  the  temperate 
zone  vie  to  display  their  charms.  Here  and  there  a  magnificent 
magnolia,  catalpa  or  other  tree  of  southern  climes  raises  its  stately 
head  over  the  lower  shrubs,  among  which  jassamine,  sweet-scented 
shrub  and  lilacs  shed  their  delicious  perfumes.  Arines  of  every 
kind  clambered  along  trellises  and  over  arbors ;  among  them  the 
grape-vine,  just  then  richly  laden  with  luscious  ripe  bunches  of 
every  color,  from  the  delicate  pale  green  to  the  deepest  purple.  To 
one  of  these  abors  our  new  acquaintance  wends  his  way,  and  on 
arriving  there  discovers  a  young  girl,  engaged  in  eating  grapes. 
She  does  not  seem  to  hear  him,  and  he  has  therefore  time  to  cast 
a  glance  of  indescribable  tenderness  upon  her.  Let  us  pause  a  mo 
ment  to  look  at  her,  for  of  all  the  fair  flowers  of  this  garden  she 
is  the  fairest.  The  girl  reclines  in  a  rustic  arm  chair ;  her  head 
resting  against  its  back.  With  her  left  hand  she  holds  a  magnifi 
cent  purple  grape  and  with  her  right  hand  lazily  picks  the  berries 
and  lets  them  disappear,  one  by  one,  between  her  coral  lips.  Mind, 
we  say  lazily,  not  languidly,  for  this  girl  in  the  arbor  is  by  no 
means  one  of  those  fragile  creatures  so  popular  in  novels,  who  are 


24  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

apt  to  break  asunder  if  we  look  at  them  sharply.  She  may  be 
about  eighteen  ;  her  figure  is  lithe  but  strong  and  vigorous.  She 
is  rather  tall,  fully  five  feet  five,  but  so  symmetrical  are  her  limbs 
that  our  eye  is  pleased  rather  than  offended  at  her  stately  form. 
She  is  decidedly  brunette  ;  but  although  her  skin  cannot  boast  of 
the  whiteness  of  snow  which  we,  by  the  way,  have  only  seen  in 
novels,  it  has  the  delicate  transparency  which  permits  us  to  see  the 
red  blood  coursing  beneath.  Her  hair  is  black  as  jet ;  its  wavy 
masses  are  tied  in  an  artless  knot  on  the  top  of  her  head,  allowing 
little  curls  to  escape  and  play  on  brow  and  neck.  Her  features  are 
finely  chiselled  and  form  an  exquisite  oval,  apt  to  fill  a  sculptor  with 
rapture.  It  is  the  eyes,  however,  which  form  the  crowning  glory 
of  the  face.  They  are  dark  blue,  and  so  like  the  ones  so  lovingly 
beaming  upon  her  that  we  are  justified  in  assuming  the  relation 
ship  of  parent  and  child  to  exist  between  the  man  and  the  girl.  It 
is,  after  all,  the  eyes,  or  rather  the  soul  shining  through  them, 
which  stamp  the  beauty  of  the  face.  Take  them  away  and  nothing 
is  left  but  the  marble  bust  which  leaves  us  cold  like  the  marble  of 
the  statue.  The  reader  has,  no  doubt,  often  seen  those  porcelain 
pictures  hung  in  the  window.  Lay  these  pictures  flat  upon  the 
table  and  what  are  they?  Nothing  but  alternate  elevations  and  de 
pressions.  Now,  however,  hold  them  against  the  light  and  all  at 
once  they  run  into  things  of  great  beauty.  So  the  light  of  the  soul, 
beams  forth  from  the  eyes.  And  what  do  we  read  in  those  of  this 
girl?  An  unpolluted  soul,  a  vigorous  intellect,  great  kindness  of 
heart  and  a  good  deal  of  harmless  mischief.  They  are  beamingly 
turned  upon  the  unlucky  grapes  which  are  fast  disappearing  under 
the  vigorous  onslaught. 

"Inez,  I  have  good  news.     He  has  arrived." 

The  words  came  so  sudden  and  unexpected  that  the  girl  was 
startled  and  betrayed  into  asking : 

"Who  has  come,  father?"  Then,  suddenly  recovering  herself, 
she  jumped  up,  clasped  her  hands  and  said  joyfully  : 

"O!  papa,  you  need  not  tell;  I  know,  Cousin  Arthur  has  ar 
rived.  I  read  it  in  your  eyes." 

"You  guessed  correctly,  child.  He  has  just  arrived  at  Lake- 
view.  If  we  hurry  we  can  make  the  five  o'clock  train  and  welcome 
him  in  person." 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  25 

"Then  let  us  hurry,  by  all  means.  I  fear  the  poor  boy  is  half 
dead  with  fatigue.  I  am  ready,  Papa," 

"Very  well;  here  comes  a  street  car;  by  taking  it  we  will 
surely  reach  the  station  in  season." 

They  hurry  into  the  street,  and,  while  they  are  waiting  for  the 
approaching  car,  we  shall  peep  around  a  moment ;  for,  what  we  see 
is  well  worth  our  attention. 

The  street  is  very  wide ;  the  sidewalks  are  laid  with  fine  flags 
which,  in  turn,  are  lined  with  sod.     The  pavement  consists  of  "a 
composition  which  we  have  no  time  to  investigate  at  present.     In 
the  center  we  notice  the  street-car  track,  and  as  the  car  approaches 
we  wonder  at  the  absence  of  horses.     Nor  is  the  road  a  cable-road, 
for  we  can  see  no  trace  of  any  cable.     As  the  car  approaches  the 
man  hails  it,  the  driver  turns  a  lever  and  the  car  stops.     When  the 
passengers  have  taken  their  seats,  the  driver  reverses  the  lever  and 
they  proceed  on  their  way.     We  ride  as  dead  heads,  and  as  we  pass 
block  after  block  we  notice  everywhere  the  signs  of  the  most  ad 
vanced  civilization  and  unmistakable  prosperity.     We  marvel  and 
ask  ourselves;  "are  we  dreaming  or  is  this  reality?     Are  we  in  a 
valley  of  the  Mexican  Cordilleras  or  on  the  boulevards  of  Paridise  ?" 
Dear  reader,  if  we  have  to  answer  all  the  questions  you  will  be 
tempted  to  ask  in  the  course  of  this  narrative  we  may  as  well  stop 
spinning  our  yarn.     We  must  really  leave  the  solution  of  any  puz 
zle  which  may  arise  to  your  own  ingenuity.     But  where  did  we 
stop  ?     Ah,  yes,  we  were  admiring  the  beauties  of  the  streets  of 
Montezuma.     As  we  proceed,  our  wonderment  increases  instead  of 
abating.     We  pass  beautiful  villas,  surpassing  the  one  described 
both  in  size  and  splendor.     The  almost  reckless  use  of  water  is 
probably  the  most  striking  feature  for  anybody  who  is  condemned  to 
sigh  under  the  burden  of  a  heavy  water  tax.     There  is  at  least  one 
public  fountain  to  every  block,  to  say  nothing  of  the  countless  pri 
vate  ones,  adorning  the  gardens  on  both  sides.     Now  and  then  the 
street  widens  into  a  park,  swarming  with  children  of  both  sexes 
and  all  ages.     The  costumes  of  the  girls  strike   us  as  novel,  or 
rather  peculiar,  for  if  we  are  not  mistaken  they  were  once  advoca 
ted  in  the  United  States  by  Mrs.  Bloomer,  who  was  foolish  enough 
to  imagine  that  common  sense  alone  could  war  successfully  against 
the  tyranny  of  fashion.     But  how  then,  you  ask,  could  it  prevail  in 


26  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

Friedensthal  ?     Was    the    government   an    absolute    despotism  ? 
Could— 

Ah,  more  questions  which  we  answer  with  the  stereotyped  qitein 
sabet  of  the  Spaniard.     This  much  we  know  :  the  man  from  whom 
this  cruel  mandate  emanates  rides  in  our  car ;  the  people  know  him, 
and  yet,  oh  wonder  of  wonders,  they  do  not  stone  him  !     Are  you 
not  strongly  tempted  to  ask  another  question  ?     If  ever  you  were 
justified  in  doing  so  you  are  now.     But  let  me  ask  in  return  :  Do 
you  begin  to  see  what  kind  of  a  man  we  have  introduced  to  you  ? 
To  increase  your  wonderment  let  me  add  that  his  ride  to  the  station 
is  nothing  but  one  continued  ovation.     The   children  cry  :  good 
evening,  papa  Herbert !  The  women  smile  and  wave  their  hand 
kerchiefs,  and  the  men  raise  their  hats  and  send  a  blessing  after 
him.     The  distance  to  the  depot  is  about  two  miles.     A  few  min 
utes  before  reaching  it  we  enter  a  park  which  surpasses  all  the  pre 
vious  ones  in  size  and  beauty.     It  is  covered  with  magnificent  trees, 
under  which  fountains  play  in  the  slanting  sun  rays.     The  four 
sides  are  lined  with  stately  stores,  in  which  all  kinds  of  goods  are 
invitingly  displayed.     The  park  is  divided  by  a  river  of  moderate 
size,  banked  on  both  sides  with  massive  quays.     A  handsome  iron 
bridge  spans  it  and  allows  our  car  to  proceed  on  its  course  on  the 
other  side.     New  beauties  come  to  view,  but  our  passengers  have 
alighted  and  proceed  to  the  depot,  which  lies  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  river,  leaving  just  room  for  a  double  track.     The  depot  is  fur 
nished  with  all  the  modern  improvements  of  which  our  large  cities 
can  boast.     But  by  this  time  we  have  ceased  to  marvel  and  rather 
expect  to  find  every  new  feature  in  conformity  with  our  past  ex 
perience.     The  two  sat  on  a  bench. 

"Five  minutes  to  five,"  said  the  gentleman,  looking  at  the  clock 
hanging  on  the  wall  above  the  ticket  office.  "  Just  in  time,  unless 
the  train  is  late." 

"Which  is  never  the  case  in  this  wonderful  land,"  the  girl  said, 
with  an  arched  smile.  "Or  hardly  ever." 

"It  isn't  the  case  this  time,  Miss  Wiseacre,"  he  replied  with  a 
numerous  smile,  "for  here  she  blows.  I  am  glad,  for  I  must  con 
fess  that  this  arrival  has  quite  upset  me,  and  the  sooner  this  meeting 
is  over  the  better." 

"I  hope  you  will  realize  your  fondest  anticipations,  dear  Papa" 


The  Treasure  of  Monteztnna.  27 

she  said,  clinging  fondly  to  his  arm  as  they  walked  to  the  platform 
and  boarded  the  train. 

"It  would  be  a  sad  disappointment  were  it  otherwise,"  he 
replied. 

"  But  Uncle  Anthon's  eulogies  surely  justify  the  greatest  ex 
pectations." 

"Love  blinds,  child,"  he  said  half  jestingly ;  "haven't  we  a 
striking  example  of  this  truth  in  this  little  mischief  of  mine?" 

"  A  chip  of  the  old  block,  I  fear,"  she  replied  laughingly.  And 
thus  they  went  on,  trying  to  hide,  under  playful  bandiage,  the 
emotions  which  the  telegram  had  arroused  in  their  bosoms.  We 
will  let  them  chat  and  cast  a  glance  at  the  scenery,  as  the  train 
pulls  from  the  station.  For  a  mile  or  more  we  are  in  the  city  yet 
with  its  unmistakable  air  of  prosperity,  its  well-kept  streets,  stately 
buildings,  splashing  fountains,  magnificent  shade  trees  and  cosy 
parks,  which  teem  with  jubilant  children,  interspersed  with  adults 
hardly  less  gay  and  merry.  Gradually  it  assumes  a  suburban 
aspect,  and  the  modest  villa  takes  the  place  of  the  more  pretentious 
store  or  office.  Just  at  the  limit  the  river  widens  and  expands  into 
a  good  sized  lake,  around  which  the  railway  winds  in  a  graceful 
curve.  It  lies  somewhat  below  the  level  of  the  river  which  plunges 
into  it  with  a  fall  of  considerable  magnitude  and  power,  which 
is  utilized  by  a  number  of  factories  on  both  sides.  A  floating  boat 
house  affords  ample  opportunities  for  healthful  sport,  in  which  both 
sexes  seem  to  participate,  if  we  are  to  judge  by  the  handsome  caps 
worn  by  the  girls,  probably  to  protect  their  flowing  tresses.  At 
the  southern  end  of  the  lake  the  river  repeats  its  tumble,  and  here 
the  industrial  scene  of  the  upper  end  is  renewed  on  a  larger  scale. 
We  have  no  time  to  examine  these  industries,  for  now  the  train 
rushes  into  the  open  country  and  traverses  a  landscape  to  describe 
which  we  would  wish  ourselves  possessed  of  the  pen  of  a  Cooper  or 
the  brush  of  a  Claude  Lorraine.  The  river  continues  its  southern 
course,  forming  cataracts  every  few  miles  and  offering  power 
enough  for  a  new  Pittsburgh.  The  railway  closely  hugs  its  right 
bank,  doing  a  traffic  that  might  justly  excite  our  wonderment,  if  we 
had  not  long  ago  decided  to  cease  wondering.  Every  two  or  three 
miles  we  notice  a  little  station,  with  people  either  wishing  to  board 
the  train  or  to  receive  friends.  The  country  rises  gently  but 


28  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

steadily  on  both  sides  of  the  river  until,  at  the  distance  of  three  or 
four  miles,  it  merges  into  the  mountain  chain  bounding  the  valley. 
Numerous  farm-houses  dot  the  plain  which  is  covered  with  crops 
and  trees  of  wonderful  variety,  changing  from  the  cotton  the  olive 
and  the  date  of  the  tropics,  to  the  wheat  and  fruit  trees  of  the  temper 
ate  zone.  The  former  fill  the  lowf  r  regions  along  the  river,  where 
a  truly  tropical  heat  favors  their  growth,  while  the  latter  have 
sought  the  more  elevated  regions  suited  to  their  nature.  Even  here 
we  notice  the  abundance  of  water.  Numerous  brooks  come  prat 
tling  down  the  hillside,  irrigating  the  fields  and  orchards  on  their 
way  and  finally  joining  the  river,  after  bestowing  a  refreshing  ver 
dure  to  the  meadows  through  which  they  meander.  At  the  dis 
tance  of  three  miles  we  notice  one  vineyard  above  another,  while 
the  far  back-grounds  are  formed  by  somber  pine  woods,  over  which 
here  and  there  a  solitary  peak  raises  its  bald  head.  After  a  run  of 
about  ten  miles  we  arrive  at  a  pretty  little  village  bearing  the  sig 
nificant  name  of  Eden,  while  ten  miles  further  south  we  reach 
Enterprise,  a  place  which,  though  not  aspiring  to  the  size  and  stir 
of  the  capital,  is  still  a  place  of  considerable  dimensions,  and 
counts  its  inhabitants  by  the  thousands.  Right  here  we  notice  a 
series  of  rapids,  lined  with  numerous  works  of  industry  which  seem 
to  swarm  with  laborers  of  every  kind.  The  most  remarkable  fea 
ture  of  these  establishments  is  the  cheerfulness  with  which  every 
one  seems  to  perform  his  task.  We  catch  snatches  of  songs  amid 
the  din  of  the  hammer  and  the  saw,  and  as  the  train  once  more  be 
gins  to  move,  can  hardly  force  back  the  question :  AVhy,  oh  why, 
are  these  factories  so  different  from  those  we  have  seen  in  other 
parts,  where  songs  and  laughter  form  the  exception,  and  surely  dis 
contented  faces  the  rule?  Five  miles  further  and  we  come  to 
another  place,  the  village  of  Lakeview,  where  Ave  left  our  bandit 
about  two  hours  ago.  His  indian  guide  had  taken  him  to  the  tav 
ern  of  the  place,  and  placed  the  resources  of  the  house  at  his  dis 
posal.  The  supper  they  had  placed  before  him  had  found  favor  in 
his  eyes ;  but  when  he  had  asked  for  rum  and  cigars,  and  heard 
from  the  wondering  landlord  that  neither  of  these  articles  could  be 
obtained,  he  received  this  news  with  an  imprecation  which,  though 
merely  muttered,  had  not  escaped  the  notice  of  the  people  of  the 
inn.  Nor  had  his  subsequent  conduct  bettered  the  opinion  which 


The  Treasure  of  Monteznma.  29 

they  had  begun  to  entertain  of  him.  On  learning  that  the  next 
train  for  Montezuma  would  not  start  before  seven,  he  had  left  the 
tavern  and,  loitering  about  the  village,  eyed  the  women  of  the 
place  with  a  boldness  which  the  approaching  darkness  had  failed  to 
conceal.  He  had  imbibed  much  of  the  strongest  wine  the  valley 
produced,  but  was  it  the  conciousness  of  the  impending  danger  of 
.meeting  his  relative  with  a  muddled  brain  or  the  inability  of  pro 
curing  more  ardent  spirits?  When  the  train  rolled  into  the  station 
he  approached  it  in  full  possession  of  his  faculties.  The  number  of 
passengers  was  rather  small;  but,  as  he  had  not  the  slightest  clue 
to  his  uncle's  identity,  he  tarried  in  the  hope  of  being  addressed  by 
him.  Nor  was  he  dissapointed.  An  electric  light  illuminated  the 
platform  to  the  brightness  of  day,  bringing  the  bandit  form  into 
full  view.  Suddenly  one  of  the  passengers  uttered  an  exclamation 
of  joyous  surprise  and  then,  hastening  to  him  clasped  him  warmly 
in  his  arms. 

"Arthur,  my  boy!"  he  exclaimed,  holding  the  youth  at  arm's 
length,  and  gazing  fondly  into  his  face  ;  "I  cannot  be  mistaken  ;  it 
must  be  you,  for  do  I  not  see  the  very  image  of  my  grandfather  be- 
tore  me?  Shake  hands,  my  boy,  and  welcome,  a  thousand  times 
welcome  in  Friedensthal !  " 

"Such  a  meeting,  coupled  with  such  an  ardent  reception 
might  have  embarrassed  anybody;  but  it  was  not  merely  embar 
rassment  which  sent  such  a  tremor  through  Arthur's  frame  One 
look  at  the  man  before  him  sufficed  to  take  his  measure  and  to  con 
vince  him  that  he  had  undertaken  no  child's  play,  and  that  this 
man  could  not  be  trifled  with.  He  quailed  under'  his  glance  and 
for  a  moment  entertained  the  wish  of  being  far  away.  Readv-wit- 
ted  man  of  the  world  though  he  was,  he  could  not"  find  words  to 
reply  to  the  others  warm  welcome.  Fortunately  none  seemed  to  be 
expected,  for  Herbert,  as  we  may  as  well  call  him,  appeared  fully 
satisfied  with  shaking  hands  and  devouring  him  with  his  eves 
however,  he  suddenly  recollected  that  he  had  not  come  alone  •  so 
turning  around  to  see  what  had  become  of  his  companion,  he  said 
apologetically  : 

"Pardon  me,  child,  for  being  such  an  egotist.     Arthur   here 
is  my  daughter  Inez,  anxious  to  shake  hands." 


3(,  The  Treasure  of  Mmteiuma, 

At  this  the  girl  came  forward  and  holding  out  her  hand,  with  a 
shv  "race,  charming  to  behold,  said  : 

"Good  evening,  Cousin  Arthur.    I  join  papa  m  w.shmg  you  a 
hearty  7elcome.  "l   trust  yon  will  like  Friedenstha.  and  ™t  get 
.nesick  for  the  splendor  of  the  old  world  you  left  beh  md. 

7  the  fellow  gazed  «PO»  the  beautiful  P'1'  Wh°  '"I  Her 
.0  tfusttc-ly  in  hit,  he  was  suddenly  overcome  with  a  deep  sense 
of  sha  ne°at  the  unworthy  role  he  was  playing,  and  for  a  moment 
ItTke  confessing  his  treachery;  but  the  emotion  was  only  trans,- 
to  y  and  a  moment  later  his  dare-devil  spmt  had  regained  the 
miry  Deling  that  he  must  say  something  m  return,  he 

^.^SCSi  -h  hearty  ...come  is  apt  to  cure  the 
wnr«t  oises  of  the  malady  vou  mention. 

oTfl  her  and  daughter  listened  attentively  to  a  vo.ee  ,  whjd. 
they  would  hear  so  often  hereafter,  making  ,t  ™y  dw»b  ta  tot 

should  be  sympathetic.     An<l  was  it  sympathetic? 
certah    something  in  the  voice  of  au  educated  person  wluch  no 
natural  perfection  of  the  organs  of  speech  ojn  rep  ace      M 


buLd  ,0  fatigue  and  weariness  what  jarred  upon  the.r  sensitive 
mav  be  sure,  at  least,  that  our  remedy,  if  such  it  be, 


where 


seated  themselves  in  seats  facing  each  other. 


1W  voyage  "sever  free  ;  but,  on  the  whole,  I  have  no  reason   , 

C°"?  And'do  you  bring  no  greetings,  no  letters  from  friend  Stammr 

..Why   did  you  not  get  my  letter,  containing  the  sad  news  : 
the  young  man  asked  with  well  feigned  surprise. 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  31 

"What  news?     What  letter?"  Herbert  asked  eao-erlv 
The  news  of  Uncle  Anton's  sudden  death  " 

"Anton  Stamm  dead  !  "  Herbert  exclaimed  in  a  voice  in  which 
consternation  and  grief  struggled  for  the  mastery.  -  We  know  of 
nothing.  How  did  this  happen  ?  When  did  he  die  ?  " 

"  A  few  days  after  he  handed  me  your  letter.  It  was  a  stroke 
of  apoplexy.  We  found  him  dead  one  morning,  seated  in  an  arm 
chair  before  his  desk.  I  thought  you  were  informed  of  the  sad 
event,  as  i  wrote  to  you  the  very  day." 

w-ll"  T  fV0'  g1  y°rUr  letter'      Ant°n  dead  !     What  a  b^nk  this 
will  make  for  me  !     I  had  hoped  that  he  would  allow  himself  to  be 

chTZ  -f°T  T,  us  here'iut  novv  this  hope  is  blasted-  Excuse  ^ 

tall  it    tJM1trou1bIe  y°U.with  "7  &-ief;   but   in   Anton 
tamm  I  lost  not  only  a  dear  friend,  but  also  a  noble  coadjutor  in 
the  plans  for  which  I  live." 

For  a  moment  he  hid  his  face  in  his  right  hand  while  Inez  took 
the  other  and,  by  a  mute  but  eloquent  pressure,  endeavored  to  ex- 
press  her  sympathy. 

"Thank  you  my  child,"  he  said,  resuming  his  former  posture 
Arthur  nere  knows  what  I  lost  in  Anton  Stamm,  although  youth 
and  time  have   no  doubt,  combined  in  his  case  to  soothe  the  first 
But  I  shall  no  longer  trouble  you  with   mine,  so  let  us 
speak  of  something  else,     j  am  sorry  that  the  darknesg  h 
Arthur   rom  getting  a  peep  at  Friedensthal.    I  have  no  doubt  that 
he  would  now  and  then  open  his  eyes  in  amazement  at  what  he 
would  see. 

"Nor  I,  sir,  if  what  I  am  to  see  is  at  all  in  accordance  with 
what  I  have  seen  all  ready.  This  is  so  unlike  the  Mexico  I  passed 
through  that  I  almost  fancy  I  am  in  another  world  " 

I  May**  you  are  Consin  Arthur,"  Inez  replied  with  a  smile. 
A  world  full  of  hobgoblins  and  demons,  if  our  worthy  neigh- 
bors  the  fishermen  can  be  believed." 

"  Thus  far  I  have  only  found  a  fairy,"  the  young  man  replied 


whn      1  -  -prised, 

while  the  girl  slightly  raised  her  eyebrows,  thus  wrinkling  her 

*      '          iDg}  h°WeVer'  and  aS  Herbert  took 


n  .          '  }  '  Herbert  took  Pa**  to 

lighten  their  companion  regarding  the  places  through  which  they 
passed  she  naturally  fell  out  of  the  conversation 


32  The  Treasure  of  Montezinna. 

A  little  after  nine  o'clock  they  reached  Montezuma.  Arthur 
had  resolved  not  to  show  too  much  suprise  at  any  new  development, 
but  what  he  saw  was  well  calculated  to  puzzle  stronger  minds  than 
his.  The  depot  with  its  busy  crowd  at  such  a  late  hour  ;  the  street 
car  without  horses,  which  they  now  boarded  ;  the  beautiful  parks 
through  which  they  now  passed,  lit  up  with  numerous  electric 
lights  and  thronged  with  people,  listening  to  strains  of  excellent 
music  ;  the  handsome  villas  lining  both  sides  of  the  street  all  the 
way  out.  All  this  was  surely  calculated  to  bewilder,  and  did  be 
wilder,  the  young  man  who  answered  the  remarks  of  his  compan 
ions  in  mere  monosyllables.  He  breathed  a  sigh  of  relief  when 
they  alighted  at  Herbert's  villa.  Pleading  extreme  fatigue  as  an 
excuse  for  retiring  early,  he  accepted  the  offer  of  his  host  to  lead 
him  to  his  room,  an  elegantly  furnished  chamber  on  the  second 
story.  Herbert  pointed  out  the  adjoining  bath  room,  and  then  left 
him,  after  expressing  his  wishes  for  a  good  night's  rest. 

The  bandit,  on  his  part,  did  not  stir  ;  he  stood  like  one  riveted 
to  the  spot  and  stared  vacantly  at  the  door  through  which  his  host 
had  disappeared.  He  was  evidently  the  prey  of  strong  emotions  of 
rather  a  disturbing  nature,  to  judge  by  the  deep  furrows  they  had 
drawn  on  his  brow.  Now  lie  breaks  into  a  soliloquy,  richly  spiced 
with  imprecations  : 

''Curse  it !  This  is  a  nice  pickle  into  which  my  folly  has  drawn 
me.  I  expected  some  fun,  and  it  looks  very  much  as  if  1  were  go 
ing  to  have  enough  of  it,  only  with  the  laugh  on  the  wrong  side. 
This  uncle,  with  his  penetrating  eyes,  will  sooner  or  later  find  me 
out,  and  I  fear  that  a  hint  from  him  would  suffice  for  his  indian 
minions  to  tear  me  to  shreads.  Arthur,  if  you  know  what  is  good 
for  you,  you  will  try  to  get  out  of  this  scrape  about  as  quick  as  you 
got  into  it,  though,  how  that  is  to  be  accomplished  in  a  hurry  is 
•more  than  I  can  see  just  now.  To  make  matters  worse,  this  girl 
comes  in  with  her  bewitching  eyes.  Ain't  they  glorious  though  ! 
Arthur,  I  fear,  you  have  looked  to  deep  into  them  already  for 
your  own  good.  If  it  were  not  for  these  eyes  I  really  think  I 
would  show  the  white  feather  and  take  f  rench  leave  ;  but  they  bind 
me  as  with  chains  of  steel,  and  compel  me  to  meet  my  fate.  And 
yet,  how  can  I,  polluted  by  vice  and  besmeared  with  blood,  as  I  am, 
dare  to  raise  my  eyes  to  this  pure  and  innocent  child?  Arthur,  if 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  33 

you  harm  her  you  deserve  to  be  torn  inch  by  inch,  by  savage 
beasts.  But  then,  curse  her  !  why  has  she  such  bewitching  eyes? 
In  olden  times  they  would  have  burnt  her  as  a  witch,  and  if  my 
wooing  kill  her,  well,  she  will  die  a  sweet  death,  that's  all.  At  all 
events  the  die  is  cast.  I  will  not,  I  cannot  back  out." 

He  then  retired,  but  for  a  long  time  sleep  refused  to  sink  upon 
his  eye-lids,  and  when,  at  length,  he  fell  into  a  fitful  slumber,  he 
became  the  prey  of  frightful  dreams,  in  which  Indians,  wild  beasts 
and  malignant  demons  attacked  him  in  turn. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

DISAPPOINTMENTS. 

It  was  hardly  six  o'clock  the  next  morning  when  Inez  made  her 
appearance  on  the  porch.  She  was  attired  in  a  loose  morning 
wrapper  of  lawn,  and  looked,  if  possible,  more  bewitching  than  the 
evening  before.  She  sat  down  in  a  rocking  chair  and  gazed  at  the 
sky  with  such  an  abstract  air  that  she  must  surely  be  the  prey  of 
disturbing  thoughts.  This  was  indeed  the  case.  She  thinks  of  her 
cousin,  and  earnestly  reproaches  herself  for  a  vague  dislike,  which 
is  as  distinct  as  it  is  unacountable.  "  Is  he  not  handsome  as  Adonis; 
has  he  not  a  stature  like  Apollo  ;  is  lie  not  civil  spoken,  and  had  not 
Uncle  Anton  sung  his  praises  in  countless  letters  ?  And  yet  this 
repugnance  is  there  and  cannot  be  argued  away."  Can  the  reader 
account  for  it  ?  Was  it  a  subtle  weapon  with  which  nature  has 
provided  the  weak  and  defenceless  ?  The  swamp  sends  forth  a 
pestilential  stench  ;  may  it  not  then  be  possible  that  a  moral  stench 
arises  from  immoral  characters,  perceptible  only  to  pure  and  sensa- 
tive  natures,  and  even  in  them  only  as  an  unaccountable  repug 
nance  ?  Inez  was  evidently  sorely  puzzed,  if  not  troubled,  about 
this  feeling,  which  she  resolved  to  combat  as  both  absurd  and  un 
just.  She  would  have  invoked  the  counsel  and  aid  of  her  father, 
if  she  had  not  known  how  fondly  he  had  anticipated  this  arrival, 
and  disliked  to  mar  his  happiness.  No,  she  would  fight  the  battle 


34  The  Treasure  of  Montcznma. 

with  her  foolish  self  alone,  and  thus  punish  herself  for  this  un 
accountable  whim.  So,  when,  a  moment  later,  she  heard  her 
cousin's  step  in  the  hall,  she  resolved  to  indemnify  him  by  re 
doubled  kindness  for  the  involuntary  wrong  she  had  done  him.  As 
he  made  his  appearance  on  the  porch  she  arose  with  alacrity,  ex 
tended  her  hand  and  said,  with  a  winning  smile  : 

"Good  morning,  Cousin  Arthur.  How  did  you  rest?  Did 
the  spirits  of  the  place  soothe  your  slumber?  " 

The  young  man  could  not  refrain  from  casting  an  admiring 
glance  at  the  lovely  appirition  before  him  as  he  replied  : 

"  No,  Cousin,  they  did  not  fare  so  gently  with  me  ;  on  the  con 
trary  they  worried  me  the  whole  night  in  a  most  ungracious  manner, 
and  I  shall  have  to  beg  you,  as  the  good  spirit  of  this  place,  to 
banish  them." 

Inez  had  addressed  him  in  Spanish,  knowing  from  Stamru's  let 
ters  to  her  father  that  his  ward  had  mastered  that  language.  The 
young  man  had,  indeed,  replied  in  that  tongue,  which  he  seemed  to 
speak  with  readiness  ;  but  Inez  listened  with  a  surprise  she  could 
hardly  conceal,  for  her  relative  had  not  spoken  the  pure  Castilian, 
which  is  universally  studied  by  strangers  wishing  to  learn  Spanish, 
but  a  corrupt  patois,  such  as  is  used  by  the  lowest  classes  in  Mexico. 
Her  breeding,  however,  was  too  good  to  allow  her  to  make  remarks 
or  to  correct  him.  Ignoring  his  faulty  dialect,  she  said  as  sympa 
thetically  as  she  could  : 

"I  infer  from  your  remarks  that  you  passed  a  restless  night, 
for  which  I  am  very  sorry,  since  the  fatigue  of  your  journey  must 
have  made  slumber  doubly  necessary." 

"Don't  mention  it,  Inez,"  he  cried  eagerly,  evidently  delighted 
at  the  sympathetic  tone  of  her  voice.  Probably  encouraged  by  it, 
he  continued : 

"  Even  if  I  had  really  suffered,  which  is  not  the  case,  I  would 
consider  myself  richly  indemnified  by  these  sweet  Avords  of  com 
passion." 

The  touch  of  displeasure  passing  over  her  contenance  might 
have  warned  him  that  he  was  treading  on  dangerous  ground,  if  the 
feeling  which  was  fast  gaining  the  mastery  of  him  had  not,  as 
usually,  blinded  its  victim.  Inez  was  seriously  displeased,  although 
she  would  have  found  difficulty  in  stating  why.  She  would  have 


The  Treasure  of  Montesurna.  35 

resented  what  she  considered  an  unwarranted  liberty  more  sharply, 
if  she  had  not  remembered  her  intentions  of  being  kind  to  him. 
As  it  was  she  contented  herself  with  saying,  somewat  sarcastically : 

"It  seems,  Cousin  Arthur,  that  the  language  of  the  Hidalgos 
had  the  tendency  of  filling  you  with  their  gallantry,  and  such 
efforts  seriously  affect  the  constitution  in  these  tropical  latitudes. 
We  had  better  return  to  the  sober  language  of  our  ancestors.  But 
say,"  she  continued,  before  he  could  reply,  "  have  you  no  desire  to 
see  the  premises  ?  Papa  is  out  to  see  a  patient  and  breakfast  won't 
be  ready  for  an  hour ;  so,  if  you  wish,  I  will  show  you  the  sights." 

He  declared  his  readiness ;  so,  putting  on  a  wide  rimmed  straw 
hat,  she  led  the  way  to  the  gardens,  pointing  out  what  she  consider 
ed  beautiful  and  attractive:  While  thus  engaged  she  made  the 
following  observations :  he  had  no  comprehension  of  poetry,  under 
standing  neither  the  nature  nor  influence  of  flowers.  He  switched 
them  off  carelessly,  as  they  proceeded  and  did  not  even  bestow  a 
glance  upon  his  victims.  He  was  also  cruel,  for  he  struck  at  every 
butterfly  or  humming  bird  flitting  by.  The  beauties  of  nature  left 
him  cold,  for  he  noticed  neither  the  grandeur  of  the  trees  nor  the 
fragrance  of  the  flowers.  Only  when  they  reached  the  stables,  and 
saw  the  magnificent  horses,  Inez's  companion  waxed  warm  and 
praised  their  noble  qualities.  But  even  here  his  praise  was  based 
on  selfishness,  for  he  measured  their  merits  only  by  the  standard  of 
their  usefulness  to  man.  If  Inez  had  undertaken  her  work  of  kind 
ness  with  the  hope  of  gaining  a  better  opinion  of  her  relative,  she 
had  signally  failed,  for,  what  had  at  first  been  merely  a  groundless 
and  therefore  a  shapeless  antipathy,  now  assumed  the  character  of 
disapproval,  for  valid  reasons.  Herbert,  who  had  just  returned 
from  his  errand  of  love,  for  he  had  ceased  to  practice  medicine  as  a 
profession  many  years  ago,  now  greeted  Arthur  cordially,  and  in 
quired  how  he  had  rested.  On  being  informed  by  Inez  that  the 
young  man  had  slept  poorly;  he  cast  a  searching  glance  at  his  face, 
and  his  practiced  eye  now  for  the  first  time  discovered  the  traces  of 
dissipation  indelibly  printed  thereon.  He  said  nothing,  of  course, 
but  a  pang  of  pain  shot  through  his  body.  This  youth,  whom  he 
had  been  led  to  believe  to  be  a  model  of  purity  and  sobriety,  ap 
peared  to  be  given  to  inebriety  or  lewdness,  or  perhaps  both  vices. 
How  far  had  he  strayed  from  the  path  of  virtue  ?  Might  he  still 


36  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

be  reclaimed.  O,  bitter  disappointment !  How  he  cursed  the 
blindness  of  love  which  had  failed  to  notice  and  correct  the  first 
deviations  of  the  young  man  from  the  path  of  virtue.  The  blow 
was  so  unexpected  and  crushing  that  Herbert  could  not  entirely 
conceal  its  effects  from  Inez's  sharp  eyes. 

"  What  ails  you,  Papa  ?  "  she  inquired  atfectionately  ;  "perhaps 
these  early  calls  do  not  agree  with  you." 

"Nonsense,  child,"  he  replied  with  rather  a  forced  laugh;  "I 
never  felt  better  in  my  life  ;  so  do  not  worry  about  nothing."  After 
breakfast  he  said  ;  "I  think  Arthur  would  like  to  see  a  little  more  of 
his  new  home ;  so,  if  you  will  have  two  horses  saddled  and  take 
your  cousin  over  the  neighborhood,  you  will  add  courtesy  to  pleas 
ure  and  give  me  time  to  attend  to  some  business  which  cannot  well 
be  postponed.  "Arthur,  how  would  you  like  to  ride  over  this  fair 
valley  on  the  back  of  a  fleet  courser  ?  " 

"  Nothing  would  suit  me  better,  Uncle,  and  if  Miss  Inez  agrees, 
I  shall  go  and  see  to  the  saddling  of  the  horses.'' 

The  girl  consented  graciously  enough,  so  the  young  man  took 
his  hat  and  hastened  out  to  order  the  horses.  Scarcely  had  he  van 
ished,  and  the  cloud  of  concern  returned  to  Herbert's  brow.  Nor 
did  he  seem  anxious  to  conceal  his  trouble  from  his  daughter,  for 
he  took  her  hand,  looked  lovingly  and  trustingly  into  her  face,  and 
said  earnestly: 

"  Lie/,  I  need  not  tell  my  wise  little  daughter,  that  it  would  be 
unsafe  to  trust  appearances,  and  to  be  captivated  by  a  handsome 
face  before  being  certain  that  the  interior  corresponds  with  the  Mat 
tering  outside." 

She  nestled  lovingly  to  his  side,  looked  up  to  him  and  said 
anxiously : 

.  "So  you  share  my  doubts.  Papa?  I  have  chided  myself 
severely  for  the  dislike  with  which  our  relative  has  filled  me  from 
the  beginning,  and  now  I  see  you  share  my  feelings." 

"No,  child,  what  I  feel  is  not  dislike,  but  sorrow  and  com 
passion.  Nor  must  we  be  too  hasty  in  our  judgment,  and  rather 
try  to  correct  than  to  condemn  his  errors.  I  am  glad,  however,  that 
you  feel  this  way.  Sadly  as  the  abandonment  of  my  hopes  and  ex 
pectations  regarding  this  youth  would  disappoint  me,  it  would  be 


The  Treasure  of  Montesuma.  37 

nothing  in  comparison  to  the  horrible  thought  that  your  future 
happiness  would  be  wrecked  upon  his  presence  here." 

"  Have  no  fear,  father,  unless  my  feelings  undergo  a  wonder 
ful  change.  The  danger  lies  the  other  way.  I  confess  it  causes  me 
an  effort  to  observe  to  him  the  common  civilities  of  life." 

"  Well,  do  the  best  you  can,  child.  While  I  am  glad  to  see 
you  thus  protected  against  any  wiles  he  might  practice  upon  your 
inexperience,  I  would  not  have  you  treat  him  rudely  either ;  for  he 
may  be  better  than  we  think,  and  there  may  be  extenuating  circum 
stances  of  which  we  have  no  knowledge.'' 

"I  understand  you,  papa,  I  think  you  will  be  satisfied  with 
me." 

"I  have  no  doubt  of  it,  dearest.  Excuse  me  for  putting  this 
irksome  task  upon  you,  but  this  discovery  has  unnerved  me,  and 
made  it  necessary  to  seek  solitude  and  take  counsel  with  my 
thoughts  to  decide  upon  the  course  to  pursue.  Good  bye,  child  ; 
here  comes  Arthur  with  the  horses." 

Inez  rapidly  donned  her  riding  suit  and  then  suffered  her  cousin 
to  lift  her  into  the  saddle,  more  from  a  feeling  of  compassion  than 
the  necessity  of  assistance,  for  she  had  received  a  physical  training 
calculated  to  make  her  body  both  strong  and  pliant.  She  could 
swim,  ride,  run  and  climb  like  the  best,  and,  if  this  statement  is 
calculated  to  injure  her  in  the  eyes  of  some  of  our  readers,  all  we 
have  to  say  is  that  we  pity  them. 

"  Well,"  said  Herbert,  when  they  were  both  seated  ;  "have  you 
all  you  need,  Arthur  ?  " 

"For  all  I  know,  yes,  uncle;  unless  you  can  accommodate  me 
with  a  good  cigar." 

' '  That  is  a  weed  we  do  not  tolerate  on  the  fields  of  Friedensthal. 
We  have  to  much  regard  for  our  own  health  to  poison  ourselves 
every  hour  of  our  lives  ;  so  I  would  advise  you  to  pull  your 
tabacco  tooth  at  your  earliest  leisure,  Arthur.  But,  how  is  this  ? 
Did  not  Stamm  write  me  repeatedly  that  you  abhored  the  use  of 
tobacco  in  any  form  ?  " 

"  Very  likely,  uncle,"  the  yaung  man  replied,  somewhat  nettled 
at  the  other's  remarks,  which  assumed  too  much  the  character  of  a 
lecture  to  suit  his  taste;  "it  is  hardly  fair  to  make  me  accountable 
for  that  gentleman's  mistakes." 


38  The  Treasure  of  Monteztnna'. 

"  But  did  you  not  lead  him  to  form  such  an  opinion  ?  " 

The  bandit  chafed  visibly  under  the  question.  In  fact,  it  is  not 
strange  th;'t  he  did.  A  person  who,  like  him,  had  enjoyed  the 
boundless  freedom  of  the  road,  and  acknowledged  no  master  what 
ever,  would  surely  find  it  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  brook  even 
the  slightest  and  most  benevolent  restraint.  While  his  prudence 
told  him  plainly  that  the  success  of  his  plans  imperatively  demand 
ed  his  subjection  to  the  will  of  this  man,  his  careless  indifference 
constantly  urged  him  to  rebel.  So  he  replied  laughingly  : 

"Well,  may  be,  I  did;  but  a  fellow  wants  his  fun,  you  know, 
and  if  he  cannot  enjoy  it  openly  he  will  secure  it  by  stealth." 

AVith  a  final  adieu  they  went  off.  Herbert's  glance  followed 
the  handsome  youth  with  a  sadness  painful  to  behold.  If  the 
reader  recalls  the  letter  which  had  fallen  into  the  bandit's  hands,  he 
will  understand  the  ardent  grief  now  filling  this  man's  breast.  From 
this  letter  we  know  how  carefully  he  had  caused  this  young  man  to 
be  educated,  to  become  his  successor  in  the  grand  labor  of  his  life. 
The  letters  of  his  friend  Stain m  had  nurtured  his  hopes  of  a  success 
ful  issue  of  his  plans,  and  justified  his  expectations  of  finding  in  his 
ward  qualities  far  above  the  common  level.  And  now  to  see  these 
hopes,  these  expectations,  crushed,  as  it  were,  ny  a  single  blow,  was 
surely  enough  to  cause  the  heart  of  the  strongest  to  flow  over  with 
bitterness.  "  By  stealth  !"  Yes,  there  was  the  trouble  ;  that  was 
the  poison  undermining  the  health  and  strength  of  our  youth.  That 
was  the  worm  eating  its  way  to  the  core  and  causing  that  prema 
ture  ripeness  which  leads  to  rottenness  and  early  death.  "By 
stealth."  What  is  this  stealth  but  moral  weakness,  untruthfulness 
and  cowardice,  and  what  could  be  expected  of  a  youth  infested 
with  such  vices?  A  heavy  sigh  wrang  itself  from  his  oppressed 
heart  ;  a  symbol  of  the  hope  expiring  within  it.  But,  if  he  thus 
buried  the  expectation  he  had  coupled  with  the  arrival  of  this 
young  man,  did  his  disappointment  free  him  from  providing  for  his 
future?  Was  he  not  morally  bound  to  attempt  the  correction  of 
errors  which  the  weakness  or  blindness  of  his  friend  had  probably 
caused  ?  He  thought  he  was.  After  the  recent  interview  with 
Inez,  he  entertained  no  fear  of  any  injury  the  young  man's  pres 
ence  in  the  house  might  work  her,  and  he  saw  therefore  nothing  to 
hinder  him  from  the  work  of  reformation  he  contemplated.  He 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  39 

aimed  at  the  material  amelioration  of  his  race  ;  but  was  the  recall 
ing  of  an  erring  youth  a  less  worthy  undertaking  ?  Certainly  not, 
and  he  would  attempt  it  with  all  the  patience  and  forbearance  it 
required.  This  resolution  seemed  to  relieve  and  comfort  him,  and 
when  visitor  after  visitor  appeared  in  the  office  to  bring  informa 
tion,  request  instruction  or  ask  for  counsel,  he  received  them  with 
his  usual  cordiality  and  endeavored  to  satisfy  them  all  to  the  best 
of  his  ability. 

In  the  meantime  our  young  couple  canter  off  in  a  north-western 
direction,  facing  the  mountains  which  bound  the  valley  on  that 
side.  Inez  soon  perceived  that  her  companion  was  an  excellent 
rider.  He  and  his  firey  steed  appeared  as  cast  in  one  mold,  and 
his  stately,  well  proportioned  figure  could  not  help  arousing  the 
admiration  of  the  gii'l,  prejudiced  though  she  was  towards  the 
owner.  He  was,  indeed,  more  than  an  ordinary  rider,  resembling 
in  his  dexterity  the  wild  comanche,  who  clings  to  his  horse  without 
any  visible  means  of  support,  and  excites  the  admiration  of  even 
the  circus  rider.  Perhaps  it  was  well  that  the  girl  had  seen  him  in 
the  circumstances  less  favorable  to  him.  Her  well  trained  mind 
felt  more  and  more  keenly  the  evident  lack  of  refinement  so  plainly 
visible  in  his  remarks  and  manner.  To  an  uneducated  country 
girl  he  would  probably  have  been  irresistible ;  but  the  admiration 
with  which  she  regarded  him  was  merely  that  cold  and  passive  one 
with  which  we  contemplate  a  finely  executed  statue. 

The  road  they  pursued  ran  through  a  region  characterized  by 
the  exceeding  lovliness  typical  of  the  entire  valley,  but,  though  Inez 
took  the  pains  to  point  out  the  most  striking  features  of  beauty  to 
her  companion,  he  gazed  at  them  with  the  same  lack  of  apprecia 
tion  he  had  betrayed  earlier  in  the  morning.  However,  if  he 
failed  to  appreciate  the  beauty  of  his  surroundings,  he  was  at  least 
keenly  alive  to  that  of  his  companion  ;  in  fact  he  was  so  untiring 
in  the  lo'oks  of  admiration  he  cast  upon  her  that  she  became 
seriously  annoyed,  and  tried  her  best  to  arouse  in  him  an  interest 
in  the  charms  of  nature.  She  called  his  attention  to  the  splendid 
condition  of  the  road,  which  was  constructed  of  the  same  material 
as  the  streets  of  the  city.  She  explained  that  it  consisted  of  a 
mixture  of  rock-sand  and  an  earthy  pitch,  resembling  asphaltum, 
which  her  father  had  discovered  in  immense  quantities  in  the 


40  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

neighboring  mountain  and  utili/ed  it,  because  it  furnished  a  road 
material  at  once  cheap  and  excellent.  Once  applied  in  a  proper 
manner,  she  said,  it  was  almost  indestructible  and  required  no  re 
pairs  for  years. 

"But,  to  do  these  things,"  he  interposed,  "one  must  have  money. 
I  suppose  uncle  Herbert  is  very  wealthy." 

"Perhaps  he  is,"  she  replied,  with  a  careless  indifference,  show 
ing  that  she  had  given  the  subject  little  thought  and  placed  even 
less  importance  upon  it. 

"Well,  but  if  he  has,  why  does  he  hide  himself  in  this  obscure 
corner  of  the  world?  .Just  think  of  the  splendid  life  you  could 
lead  in  Paris,  London  or  Vienna." 

This  question  had  a  strange  effect  upon  the  girl.  She  checked 
her  horse  so  suddenly  that  it  reared  on  its  hind  legs  without,  how 
ever,  in  the  least  disturbing  the  equilibrium  of  the  rider. 

"I  though  you  had  received  my  father's  letter?"  she  exclaimed 
sharply. 

"Why,  so  I  did,"  he  replied,  somewhat  abashed  by  her  vehe 
mence. 

"And  yet  you  ask  that  question?"  she  went  on,  with  an  almost 
contemptuous  smile?  "You  are  either  making  fun  of  me  or  are 
incapable  of  grasping  grand  ideas.  Both  these  constructions  are  so 
unpleasant  that  they  had  better  be  dropped.  What  do  you  think 
of  these  glorious  orange  trees,  lining  the  road?  They  are  common 
property.  Would  you  have  the  goodness  to  pick  some  of  the  fruit 
for  our  joint  benefit?  " 

He  obeyed,  chafing  inwardly  at  the  correction  he  had  received, 
but  at  the  same  time  was  awed  by  her  display  of  spirit.  When  he 
had  plucked  some  of  the  choicest  ripe  oranges  and  handed  them  to 
her,  she  set  her  horse  once  more  in  motion  and  continued  to  explain 
what  might  be  novel  to  him  in  the  neighborhood,  as  if  nothing  on 
his  part  had  ever  stirred  her  indignation.  "You  see, "'she  said, 
"these  farms  consist  of  square  lots,  of  fifty  acres  each.  Every 
four  of  them  are  surrounded  by  roads,  running  at  right  angles  to 
each  other.  There  are  no  fences,  you  perceive,  and  that  is  well ; 
for  their  absence  does  not  only  add  to  the  beauty  of  the  landscape, 
but  also  saves  the  farmer  much  labor  and  expense." 

"But  I  notice  some  fences.'' 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  41 

"Yes,  every  farmer  must  needs  have  a  small  enclosure  to  air 
and  exercise  his  cattle  in,  but  even  these  indispensible  enclosures 
are  reduced  to  a  minimum  by  placing  the  buildings  of  the  four 
farms  near  the  common  center." 

While  thus  conversing  they  had  n eared  the  mountains,  rising 
steadily  though  imperceptibly  to  a  higher  level.  She  pointed  out 
to  him  the  gradual  but  nevertheless  marked  change  of  the  vegeta 
tion,  wondering  at  the  same  time  at  and  lamenting  the  necessity  of 
such  a  task.  Was  this  cousin  of  her's  stupid  ?  She  thought  not, 
for  he  had  repeatedly  made  remarks  on  things  interesting  him 
which  betrayed  both  shrewdness  and  penetration.  The  trouble  was 
that  the  compass  of  things  interesting  him  was  so  remarkably  nar 
row.  It  puzzled  her  exceedingly  that  a  person  of  such  a  splendid 
education  as  this  young  man  was  reputed  to  have  received  should 
be  so  callous  to  everything  grand  and  beautiful. 

She.  had  no  time,  however,  to  Abandon  herself  just  then  to  the 
study  of  such  rnetapt^sical  questions.  They  had  ridden  about  two 
miles  and  were  approaching  the  last  tier  of  farms,  nestling  under 
the  somber  pine  trees  covering  the  steeper  slopes.  Inez  turned 
into  the  private  road  leading  to  the  nearest  farm  on  the  left  and,  on 
arriving  there,  was  received  by  vociferous  manifestations  of  delight 
on  the  part  of  man  and  beast.  Amongst  the  latter  Arthur  noticed 
a  magnificient  bloodhound  of  almost  gigantic  size,  which  jumped 
incessantly  around  the  girl's  horse  and  by  his  joyous  barking  gave 
the  people  the  first  intimation  of  the  arrival  of  the  guests.  It  at 
tracted  the  attention  of  a  young  and  handsome  woman,  who  put  her 
head  from  the  open  kitchen  and  had  no  sooner  seen  and  recognized 
the  joung  lady  than  she  ran  towards  her  and,  clasping  her  hands 
in  surprise  and  delight,  exclaimed  joyfully  : 

' '  Miss  Inez,  can  it  be  possible !  What  a  pleasure  and  honor  for 
us!  But  won't  you  alight,  Sennora,  and  take  some  refreshments? 
Your  ride  must  have  given  you  an  appetite." 

"Not  this  time,  Marguerita,"  said  the  girl,  shaking  hands  with 
out  dismounting.  "1  am  somewhat  in  a  hurry,  and  simply  stop 
ped  to  deliver  a  message  from  your  sister.  She  wants  you  to  be 
sure  and  not  forget  the  white  kitten  you  promised  her." 

The  woman  laughed  merrily.  "Tell  Clara  I'll  be  sure  to  bring 
it  as  soon  as  it  can  eat  alone.  But  won't  you  take  a  glass  of  milk  at 


42  The  Treasure  of 

least?  And  perhaps  this  Sennor  would  do  us  the  honor  to  accept  a 
glass  of  our  own  vintage?  My  husband  has  the  reputation  of 
making  the  best  wine  in  the  valley." 

"Ah,  excuse  me,  I  forget  Marguerita,  this  is  my  cousin  Arthur, 
who  has  come  to  stay  with  us.  Arthur,  this  is  Marguerita  my 
former  faithful  help  mate,  and  now  the  wife  of  the  young  farmer 
living  here.  Will  you  accept  a  glass  of  wine  of  their  own  make?  " 

"Yes,  Inez,  if  it  is  not  too  much  trouble." 

"No  trouble  at  all,  Sennor."  Then,  turning  to  a  little  girl  of 
three  or  four  years,  that  clung  timidly  to  her  apron,  she  continued 
eagerly : 

"  Annetta,  run  to  papa  in  the  barn,  and  tell  him  to  bring  a  bot 
tle  of  our  best  wine  and  a  glass  for  a  Sennor  from  the  city."  Then 
turning  to  Ine/ :  "And  now  I  will  go  and  get  your  milk." 

"  Wait,  Marguerita,  I'll  ride  to  the  cellar  door  with  you,  to  save 
you  the  walk."  , 

So  the  two  went  off,  and  a  minute  or  two  later  the  young  farm 
er  made  his  appearance  ;  a  stately  fellow,  wearing  a  straw  hat  and 
clad  in  a  coarse  suit  of  scrupulous  cleanness,  suitable  to  his  calling. 
A  pleasant  smile  lit  up  his  face,  and  the  eager  step  with  which  he 
advanced  bore  evidence  of  the  pleasure  it  gave  him  to  exercise  the 
duties  of  hospitality. 

He  was  on  the  point  of  greeting  the  stranger,  who  looked  up  at 
his  approach,  when  suddenly  he  stopped,  a  look  of  consternation 
clouding  his  eyes  and  a  pallor  spreading  over  his  face.  This  strange 
hesitancy  attracted  Arthur's  attention.  He  eyed  the  farmer  sharp 
ly,  and  was  on  the  point  of  uttering  a  cry  of  surprise,  when  the  re 
turn  of  Ine/  and  her  companion  counseled  the  necessity  of  caution. 
The  farmer,  on  his  part,  also  tried  hard  to  regain  his  self-control, 
but  the  hand  which  held  the  glass  trembled  so  visibly  that  he 
spilled  part  of  its  contents,  and  thus  attracted  the  attention  of  Mar 
guerita. 

"Carlos,"  she  cried,  "what  are  you  about?  Don't  you  see, 
you  are  spilling  the  wine?  AVhat  awkward  fellows  these  men  are,' 
she  continued,  turning  laughingly  to  Inez ;  "give  me  the  glass, 
man." 

Then  to  Arthur :  "I  hope  you  will  like  it,  Sennor;  it  is  the 
best  we  can  give." 


The  Tmiture  of  Montezama.  43 

The  young  man  was  gracious  enough  to  praise  it ;  then,  the  two 
said  farewell,  turned  their  horses,  and  rode  back  to  the  city  more 
rapidly  than  they  had  left  it. 


CHAPTER  V. 

JARRIXGS. 

Arthur  did  not  .see  very  much  of  either  father  or  daughter  dur 
ing  the  rest  of  the  morning. 

"Arthur,"  Herbert  had  said  to  him,  "you  must  excuse  me  if 
I  leave  you  a  good  deal  to  your  own  resources  for  entertainment. 
My  duties  are  numerous  and  engrossing,  and,  as  to  Inez,  she  has  to 
superintend  the  household  in  place  of  her  mother,  whom  we  lost  a 
number  of  years  ago.  What  the  house  and  premises  contain  is,  of 
course,  at  your  disposal.  In  the  parlor  you  will  find  a  piano  and 
other  musical  instruments.  The  book  cases  contain  choice  Jems, 
both  modern  and  ancient.  In  my  office  you  will  find  all  implements 
for  fishing  and  hunting,  and  in  our  woods  much  game  worthy  of 
your  mark.  The  horse  you  rode  this  morning  you  may  consider 
your  own  and,  if  these  things  do  not  suffice  to  fill  your  leisure  time, 
please  let  me  know  and  we  shall  look  for  something  else.  After  a 
while  I  shall  call  upon  you  for  assistance  and  benefit  by  your 
knowledge  of  modern  chemistry  and  engineering,  but  for  the  pres 
ent  you  will  need  a  vacation,  a  recreation  from  your  long  and 
ardent  studies.  When  ever  you  get  tired  of  idling,  tell  me  and  I 
shall  try  to  find  you  plenty  of  work." 

The  young  man  thought  this  a  very  sensible  speech,  although 
he  could  not  help  shuddering  at  the  thought  that  this  respite  must 
come  to  an  end,  and  the  moment  surely  arrive  when  his  host  would 
discover  the  gross  ignorence  filling  his  mind.  Would  he  wait  for 
that  moment,  that  shameful  exposure?  How  could  he  endure  the 
scornful  look  his  cousin  would  then  be  sure  to  cast  upon  him? 

And  yet,  on  the  other  hand,  how  could  he  endure  the  thought 
of  leaving  her?  Short  as  the  time  of  their  acquaintance  had  been, 
he  felt  that  he  would  give  years  of  his  life  for  the  bliss  of  spending 


44  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

the  remainer  with  her.  His  passion  was  perhaps  of  a  low  and  pure 
ly  sensual  order,  but  probably  the  highest  of  which  he  was  capable. 
The  mere  thought  of  the  necessity  of  leaving  her  drove  him  to 
distraction,  and  we  need,  therefore,  not  wonder  that  he  caught  at 
straws  and  trusted  to  the  future  for  improbabilities,  if  not  impossi 
bilities,  in  accordance  with  his  wishes.  He  did  not  think,  perhaps, 
this  in  the  same  or  as  many  words,  but  his  thoughts  were  certainly 
of  that  drift,  as  he  replied: 

"You  are  very  kind,  uncle.  I  feel  indeed  pretty  well  shaken 
up,  though  more  with  the  journey  and  the  novelty  of  everything  I 
see  and  hear  than  overstudy.  A  few  months  of  rest  will,  no 
doubt,  make  me  myself  again  and  enable  me  to  enter  into  our  views 
with  double  alacrity." 

Then  he  obtained  the  wished  for  respite.  As  to  the  duplicity  of 
his  words  and  the  depravity  of  his  actions,  he  felt  no  scruples, 
whatever.  If  love  elevates  and  purities,  it  surely  had  not  yet  made 
its  influence  felt  in  his  case.  Perhaps  it  was  too  new  or  of  too 
coarse  a  nature ;  perhaps  he  had  been  wading  too  long  in  the  slough 
of  depravity ;  at  all  events,  he  did  not  feel  the  slightest  compunc 
tion  at  the  deception  he  practiced  upon  these  people,  so  far  above  him 
in  moral  and  intellectual  worth.  After  dinner,  Herbert  announced 
his  intention  of  visiting  Minersville.  a  town  situated  at  the  upper 
end  of  the  valley,  and  invited  Arthur  to  accompany  him.  The 
young  man  would  gladly  have  excused  himself,  as  he  feared  the 
scrutinizing  glance  of  his  relative,  and  labored  under  the  constant 
apprehension  of  having  his  gross  ignorance  laid  bare  by  some 
searching  question,  but  as  he  could  not  easily  and  readily  invent 
some  plausible  pretext,  he  was  compelled  to  accept  the  invitation 
with  the  semblence  of  great  satisfaction.  This  is,  in  our  estimation, 
one  of  the  worst  features  of  evil  doing.  The  deceiver  is,  as  it  were, 
compelled  to  live  in  and  constantly  breathe  the  foul  atmosphere 
which  his  vile  thoughts  create,  a  necessity  implying  a  fearful  tor 
ture.  Herbert  took  the  street  cars  to  reach  the  depot,  where  they 
arrived  in  good  season  for  the  northern  train.  The  landscape 
through  which  they  traveled  vied  in  loveliness  with  the  southern 
half;  only  it  assumed  more  the  character  of  the  temperate  /one 
as  they  sped  on.  It  must  be  remembered  that  they  did  not  only 
proceed  northward,  but  also  rose  vertically  with  every  mile.  Indeed, 


The  Treajtwre  of  Montezuma.  4o 

Minersville  lies  fully  two  thousand  feet  higher  than  Monte/uma,  a 
difference  sufficiently  great  to  account  for  the  change  mentioned. 

The,  country  was  as  densely  settled  as  that  farther  south,  the 
stations  and  places  occurring  at  nearly  the  same  distances.  First 
they  passed  through  Industry,  a  beautiful  village  of  respectable 
size,  which  seemed  devoted  to  industrial  pursuits  of  various  kinds. 
Arthur  noticed  a  large  number  of  agricultural  implements,  from 
the  plow  to  the  threshing  machine,  evidently  awaiting  transporta 
tion,  and  the  bustle  at  the  depot  caused  by  the  loading  and  unload 
ing  of  merchandise  of  every  description  indicated  a  fair  state  of 
prosperity.  Here  also  the  forces  of  nature  had  been  made  subservi 
ent  to  the  purposes  of  man,  the  rapids  of  the  river  turning  ponder 
ous  wheels  which,  in  turn,  set  countless  tools  in  motion. 

"I  see,  you  manufacture  on  a  large  scale.  Where  do  you  rind  a 
market  for  all  these  implements?" 

"  AVhy,  this  year's  census  gives  Friedensthal  100,000  inhabi 
tants.  Don't  you  think  they  otter  a  pretty  good  market?  AVe  have 
12,000  farmers,  half  of  whom  want  a  threshing  machine.  It  will 
take  years  to  supply  them  all,  and  when  they  are  provided,  Mexico 
will  furnish  an  inexhaustible  field  for  our  industries." 

"But  you  are  shut  oft'  from  all  the  world,  and  Mexico  is  poor." 

"It  will  not  always  be  poor,  and  as  to  our  barriers,  they  will 
fall  some  day." 

Onward  they  rolled,  until  after  a  run  of  .°>0  miles  they  reached 
Ironton,  a  town  not  much  smaller  than  Montezuma.  It  was  un 
mistakably  an  iron  city,  as  the  manufacture  of  that  most  useful  of 
all  metals  was  carried  on  extensively,  and  almost  exclusively,  in  its 
precincts. 

Arthur  perceived  numerous  jets  of  flame  shooting  from  iron 
pipes  into  the  air,  and  asked  for  an  explanation  of  this  strange 
phenomenon. 

"What  you  see  is  the  surplus  of  natural  gas  escaping  from 
the  ground.  On  boring  for  salt  water,  we  discovered  this  gas  and 
have  utilized  it  ever  since  for  smelting  our  ores  and  making  steel 
and  iron,  although  we  prefer  our  boundless  water  power  to  roll  and 
hammer  it  into  any  shape  we  want." 

"This  is  truly  wonderful,"  said  Arthur,  for  once  roused  from 
his  cynical  indifference  by  the  strange  scenes  around  him.  It  look- 


46  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

ed  indeed  like  magic,  and,  poor  observer  though  he  was,  he  could 
not  help  obtaining  a  faint  perception  of  the  greatness  of  this  man, 
so  plain  and  unassuming,  and  yet  so  full  of  creative  power.  In 
taking  thus  his  measure,  he  could  not  help  drawing  a  comparison 
between  Herbert  and  himself,  and,  oh,  how  deep  did  his  own  mis 
erable  self  sink  in  the  scale.  This  recognition  of  himself,  however, 
did  not  create  remorse  at  his  own  depravity,  but  rage  and  indigna 
tion  at  the  other's  superiority,  and  rather  steeled  than  weakened  his 
determination  to  deceive  him. 

Herbert  was  detained  at  Minersville  only  a  few  hours,  so  they 
boarded  the  evening  train,  and  reached  Montezuma  in  time  for  a 
late  supper.  When  it  was  over  they  went  into  the  parlor,  where 
Herbert  requested  his  daughter  to  give  them  some  music.  Inez 
was  free  from  that  silly  affectation  which  so  many  young  ladies 
deem  it  proper  to  show  on  such  occasions.  She  simply  obeyed  and, 
sitting  down  at  the  piano,  began  to  play  with  a  mastery  and,  what 
was  more,  an  expression  as  exquisite  as  rare. 

It  is  not  likely  that  the  bandit  was  a  very  good  judge  of  such 
matters,  but  even  his  coarse  and  superficial  nature  could  not  wholly 
withstand  the  charm  of  such  playing.  After  awhile  Inez  began 
to  sing.  She  possessed  a  rich  and  cultivated  voice,  and  sang  several 
German  and  Spanish  airs  with  so  much  fervor  and  pathos  that  the 
young  man  was  literally  fascinated.  So  deeply  was  he  absorbed  in 
listening  to  her  strains  that  he  started  on  hearing  Herbert  say: 

"According  to  Mr.  Stamm's  letters,  you  must  be  quite  an  adept' 
on  the  piano  yourself.  Can  you  not  relieve  Ine/  and  play  a  piece 
for  us?  " 

A  burning  blush  suffused  the  young  man's  face.  Callous 
though  he  was,  he  could  not  help  feeling  a  deep  sense  of  shame  at 
the  want  of  skill  and  knowledge  thus  leeking  out  constantly. 

"Well,  uncle,"  he  stammered  in  confusion ;  "the  truth  is,  I  have 
not  played  for  two  or  three  years,  and  am  so  much  out  of  practice 
that  I  could  not  think  of  boring  you  with  my  miserable  thumping  '' 

"That  is  a  pity,"  said  Herbert  with  a  slight  touch  of  disapoint- 
ment.  "I  had  anticipated  much  pleasure  from  hearing  you  and 
Inez  play  and  sing  duets  together.  Well,  if  we  cannot  hear  you 
play,  we  must  be  satisfied  with  hearing  you  talk.  Come,  tell  us 


The  Treasure  of  Montczuma.  47 

something  of  your  life  in  Germany ;  how  did  you  and  uncle  Anton 
get  along  together  ?  " 

This  was  dangerous  ground.  The  young  man  felt  a  cold  perspi 
ration  breaking  from  his  pores,  but  seeing  that  the  slightest  hesita 
tion  would  imperil  all,  he  affected  a  readiness  he  was  far  from  feel 
ing  and  answered  gaily  : 

"Oh,  we  got  along  splendidly." 

"That  is,  he  humored  you  in  everything,  I  fear.     Poor  Anton, 

how  I  miss  his  letters.     I  wondered  why  they  stopped  so  suddenly, 

but  did  not  anticipate  the  dreadful  cause  until  you  told  us.     Do 

you  think  that  he  had  any  idea  of  the  nearness  of  his  death?" 

"I  think  not,  uncle  ;  at  least  he  did  not  show  it  in  his  conduct." 

"But  cousin  Bertha;  how  did  you  leave  her?  What  is  she 
going  to  do  now?  " 

The  young  man  sat  as  if  on  nettles,  moving  uneasily  about,  but 
managed  to  reply  : 

"  She  was  comparatively  well.  She  is  still  in  the  house  and 
means  to  stay  there,  until  uncle's  affairs  are  settled." 

"She  will  not  suffer,  I  trust,"  Inez  continued.  "Has  not  her 
uncle  made  a  will  in  her  favor? " 

"  Not  to  my  knowledge,"  the  young  man  replied  with  desperate 
readiness;  "at  least  we  were  unable  to  discover  one." 

"That  is  strange,"  Herbert  now  broke  in.  "  Anton  wrote  to 
me  about  a  year  ago  that  he  had  made  a  will,  and  I  dont  think  he 
would  deceive  me  in  this  matter.  I  must  see  to  this,  and  write  to 
morrow.  However,  whatever  may  be  the  result  of  my  inquiries, 
under  no  circumstances  shall  my  friend's  daughter  suffer  want." 

Inez  pressed  her  father's  hand,  as  if  she  meant  to  thank  him  in 
behalf  of  the  absent  orphan.  Then  she  inquired : 

"  What  has  become  of  all  your  teachers,  Arthur  ?  Uncle  An 
ton  was  so  untiring  in  the  praise  of  some  of  them  that  papa  has 
been  seriously  thinking  of  calling  them  to  teach  in  our  schools." 

The  young  man  felt  that  he  was  getting  every  moment  into 
deeper  waters,  and  that,  if  this  cross  questioning  continued  much 
longer,  nothing  on  earth  could  save  him  from  immediate  exposure. 

"I  had  so  many,"  he  said  almost  frantically  ;  "I  have  no  idea 
which  ones  you  mean." 


48  The  Treasurf  of  Monttzuma. 

"The  ones  with  the  funny  names.  Spe — -,  Spo — ,  Spu.  Can't 
you  help  me  a  little  ?  " 

"I  haven't  the  slightest  idea  what  you  are  driving  at,"  moaned 
the  unlucky  fellow  in  agonies.  At  this  moment  the  door  opened 
and  a  servant  annouced  : 

"Mr.  Vorlaut," 

"Show  the  gentleman  in,  Clara." 

A  moment  after  a  middle  aged  gentleman  of  small  stature 
stepped  into  the  room,  bowing  with  the  rapidity  which  suggested  the 
presence  of  a  powerful  spring  in  his  back.  He  wore  gold  specta 
cles,  but  his  small  piercing  eyes  shone  through  them  with  a  sharp 
ness  that  seemed  to  defy  the  most  minute  article  to  escape  them. 
Herbert  shook  hands  with  him  and  introduced  Arthur,  who  shook 
his  hand  with  a  fervor  impressing  the  newcomer  very  favorably,  as 
he  ascribed  it  to  the  delight  of  the  young  man  to  make  his  ac- 
uaintance,  while  it  really  originated  from  the  feeling  of  gratitude 
for  having  been  released  from  the  rack  of  torture. 

"Ah,  your  nephew?''  said  Mr.  Vorlaut,  after  seating  himself  ; 
"I  am  happy,  indeed,  to  make  his  acquaintance." 

"  Well,  nephew,  as  the  word  goes;  Arthur  is  the  son  of  a  first 
cousin,  and  consequently  not  my  nephew." 

"  I  am  grateful  for  these  details,  Mr.  Grau,  as  I  wish  to  make 
a  correct  statement  in  to-morrow's  Stimine  der  Wahrheit.  I  shall  be 
very  thankful  for  any  other  details  you  may  choose  to  give  me." 

"  There  is  nothing  else  I  can  think  of,  "replied  Mr.  Grau  rather 
coldly.  "  You  know,  I  dislike  these  sensational  items,  and  you 
would  oblige  me  by  confining  yourself  to  the  simple  statement  that 
Arthur  Grau,  my  nephew,  has  arrived  from  K  —  — ,  Germany, 
and  expects  to  remain  here  as  a  permanent  member  of  my  family." 

"  Very  well,"  sighed  Mr.  Yorlaut,  with  the  resignation  of  a 
martyr  who  has  been  deprived  of  the  pleasure  of  an  auto  da  fe 
for  the  public  good.  "  Have  you  no  other  items  for  to-morrow's 
issue  ?  " 

"I  cannot  think  of  anything- just  now  ;  but  you,  as  a  man  of 
news,  ought  to  be  able  to  entertain  us  with  some  spicy  tid-bits,  Mr. 
Vorlaut." 

"Alas!  Mr.  Grau,  you  have  no  conception  of  the  dearth  now 
prevailing  on  the  social  and  political  horizon.  But  wait,  I  recollect 


The  Treasure  of  Monteztoiut.  49 

i 

one  little  item  that  may  interest  or,  at  least,  amuse  you,  as  it 
throws  some  light  upon  the  crude  and  almost  chaotic  condition  of 
our  new  fatherland.  A  little  more  than  a  week  ago  a  daring  rob 
bery  was  practiced  upon  a  high  German  official,  traveling  in  the  in 
terior  of  Mexico.  While  he  was  sleeping  soundly  the  robber  forced 
an  entrance,  coolly  appropriates  his  purse,  papers  and  traveling 
outfit  and  absconds.  What  do  you  think  of  such  outrages,  Mr. 
Grau?" 

This  question  was  addressed  to  Arthur,  who  started  violently,  as 
if  he  had  been  caught  napping. 

"  I  think,  why—,  why—" 

"  It  seems  to  stagger  you,"  Mr.  Vorlaut  said,  who  put  a  wrong 
construction  on  the  other's  confusion  ;  and  no  wonder.  Such  out 
rages  are  impossible  in  the  old  world.  I  only  hope  they  will  catch 
the  rascal.  Wouldn't  I  take  delight  in  helping  to  string  him  up  !" 

"  Why,  I  had  no  idea  you  were  so  bloodthirsty,"  said  Herbert, 
smiling;  "but  what  was  the  (ifficinl's  name,  and  for  what  purpose 
did  he  travel  in  the  interior  of  Mexico?  He  might  have  known 
that  part  of  the  world  is  not  the  very  safest  to  journey  in." 

Again  a  cold  shudder  ran  through  the  frame  of  the  young  man. 
The  next  moment  would  probably  bring  out  some  awful  revelation, 
and  he  nerved  himself  to  meet  the  emergency. 

"The  account  does  not  give  the  name,"  Mr.  Yorlaut  replied, 
thus  freeing  him  a  second  time  from  a  very  embarrassing  predica 
ment.  "  It  merely  states  that  he  meditated  a  visit  to  some  rela 
tive." 

"And  the  name  of  this  relative,  ?  "    Mr.  Grau  inquired. 

Another  moment  of  breathless  suspense. 

"The  account  does  not  give  that  either.  The  fact  is,  they  do 
these  and  many  other  things  down,  here  in  a  truly  bungling  and 
shocking  manner." 

Arthur  differed  with  the  man  of  news,  although  lie  took  good 
care  to  keep  his  thoughts  to  himself.  He  benefited  by  the  first 
opportunity  which  offered  to  retire  to  his  room,  where  he  walked 
the  floor  a  long  time  like  a  caged  tiger,  muttering  to  himself  : 

"Curses  upon  these  constant  risks  !  The  devil  may  stand  them, 
I  cannot.  Give  me  a  good  hand-to-hand  fight  and  I  will  face  it 
as  well  as  the  best ;  but  these  constant  douche-baths  are  apt  to  take 


50  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

the  starch  out  of  a  fellow.  I  must  hurry  matters,  or  there  will  be 
an  explosion,  in  which  I  may  get  hurt.  Inez,  Inez,  why  did  T  ever 
look  into  your  eyes?" 

These  reflections  kept  him  awake  until  nearly  midnight,  and 
even  when  he  fell  asleep  his  slumber  was  fitful  and  harrassed  by 
ugly  dreams.  So  it  was  late  when  he  awoke.  On  descending  to 
the  dining  room  he  found  a  solitary  plate  set  for  him.  Inez  was  en 
gaged  with  some  household  duties.  On  .seeing  him,  she  said: 

"  Good  morning,  Arthur;  you  must  excuse  us  for  not  waiting 
with  -breakfast;  but  papa  had  to  leave  on  business  which  brooked 
no  delay.  Clara,  bring  Mr.  Grau's  breakfast." 

The  person  addressed  was  a  young  girl  of  Inez's  age.  She 
seemed  to  be  of  Spanish  origin,  for  her  hair  and  eyes  were  of  the 
deepest  black.  Her  face  was  rather  handsome,  especially  when  a 
smile  disclosed  her  teeth,  and  it  is  perhaps  for  that  reason  she 
smiled  almost  constantly.  As  she  brought  in  the  dishes  her  large 
black  eyes  dwelled  with  undisguised  admiration  on  the  handsome 
youth. 

"  I  hope  the  Sennor  will  like  the  coffee,"  she  said  with  a  smile, 
as  she  poured  out  the  aromatic  beverage.  "He  must  know  that  it 
is  of  our  own  raising." 

"In  that  case  I  shall  like  it  as  a  matter  of  course  ;  I'm  sorry  I 
have  caused  you  so  much  extra  trouble." 

With  these  words  he  attacked  his  breakfast  with  a  vigor  show 
ing  plainly  that  his  troubles,  if  they  disturbed  his  mind  had  thus 
far  failed  to  affect  his  appetite.  Clara  waited  on  him  with  a  zeal 
which  did  not  escape  the  notice  of  Inez.  Could  the  girl,  who  was 
as  much  her  companion  as  servant,  but  had  received  little  or  no 
education,  have  taken  a  fancy  to  this  handsome  young  man?  She 
hoped  not,  but  also  knew  the  ardent  nature  of  the  Mexican  girl. 
She  must  use  the  first  opportunity  to  investigate  the  matter,  and 
warn  her  of  the  folly  of  such  a  passion.  After  breakfast  she  con 
tinued  with  her  work,  and,  when  she  saw  that  Arthur  also  re 
mained  in  the  room,  she  said  pleasantly,  pointing  to  a  magazine 
lying  on  the  table,  using  this  time  the  English  idiom  ;  "  cousin, 
there  is  the  last  number  of  Harper's ;  would  you  be  kind  enough  to 
read  the  first  article  to  me?  It  treats  on  woman's  rights,  and  be 
sides  wishing  to  know  its  contents,  I  should  like  very  much  to 


The  Tmuure  of  Montezumd.  51 

learn  your  opinion,  concerning  this  puzzling  question." 

Here  was  a  new  dilemma  for  the  unfortunate  fellow.  Another 
confession  of  his  ignorance  had  to  be  made.  With  a  blush  and 
visible  embarrassment  in  both  voice  and  manner,  he  managed  to 
stammer  in  very  poor  English  : 

"  Why,  Inez,  I  can't  read  no  English." 

"Cannot  read  English,  and  studied  it  for  I  don't  know  how 
many  years?  That  really  surpasses  my  comprehension." 

"Well,  my  teacher  and  I  didn't  gee  wery  well ;  so  I  loafed  a 

good  deal  with  the  English  swells  as  lived  in  K .  I  can  go 

the  lingo  and  that  is  all  a  fellow  needs." 

Inez  would  hardly  trust  her  ears.  She  didn't  know  which 
shocked  her  more ;  the  bad  grammar  or  the  ignorance  causing  it. 
This  cousin  became  more  of  a  puzzle  to  her  every  moment,  and  she 
felt  quite  relieved  when  he  arose  and  announced  his  intention  of 
exploring  the  neighboring  mountains  for  some  game.  When  he 
left  the  room,  Clara  ran  to  her  mistress  and  whispered  with  a  blush: 

"Miss  Inez,  isn't  he  the  handsomest  man  you  ever  saw?  " 

"  He  is  very  handsome  indeed,  Clara,  but  I  fear  that  is  all  that 
can  be  said  in  his  favor. " 

"Then  you  are  not  going  to  marry  him,  Inez  ?  " 

"Marry  him?"  she  said,  half  indignant,  half  amused.  "I would 
not  marry  him  if  he  were  the  last  man  on  earth." 

"That is  strange,"  the  girl  said  pensively.  "He  is  so  hand 
some  ;  oh !  so  handsome." 

"  So  you  would  not  say  no,  my  dear,  if  he  asked  you  to  be  his 
wife?" 

Clara  blushed  and  hid  her  face  in  her  hands,  but  remained 
silent. 

"  I  see  how  it  is,"  said  Inez,  thoughtfully,  almost  sadly,  "  loved 
at  first  sight.  But  if  I  were  you,  Clara,  I  would  war  against  this 
feeling,  for  it  will  probably  make  you  wretched,  with  little  or  no 
possibility  of  having  your  hopes  realized." 

"Ah,  the  Sennorita  said  an  untruth,"  said  the  girl  with  flash 
ing  eyes,  rising  impetuously  to  her  feet,  ' '  she  wants  him  for  her 
self,  and  therefore  bids  poor  Clara  stand  aloof." 

For  a  moment  Inez  felt  like  resenting  this  imputation ;  but  re- 


52  The.  Treasure  of  Montesuma. 

membering  the  girl's  untutored  mind  and  passionate  nature,  she  re 
lented  and  said  reprovingly : 

"  You  foolish  girl,  have  I  ever  deceived  you?  Arthur  is  noth 
ing  to  me,  and  I  wish  sincerely  I  could  say  the  same  of  you.  Once 
more  I  say  to  you,  try  to  master  this  fancy  while  you  can,  else  it 
may  wreck  your  future  happiness.  But  enough  of  this.  We  gos 
sip  here  like  two  cronies  at  the  wash  tub,  quite  unmindful  of  the 
work  to  be  done." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

RETRIBUTION. 

Arthur  had  meanwhile  saddled  his  horse,  secured  all  the  im 
plements  necessary  for  a  hunt,  and  then  started  in  the  same  direc 
tion  which  he  and  Inez  had  pursued  the  day  before.  At  the  dis 
tance  of  about  u  mile  from  the  city  he  noticed  a  light  vehicle  roll 
ing  towards  him,  occupied  by  the  woman  he  had  met  at  the  farm. 
At  her  side  sat  little  Annetta,  holding  in  her  arms  the  white  kitten 
intended  for  her  aunt  (1lara.  Margurita  recogui/ed  the  rider, 
for  she  drew  in  the  reins  at  his  approach  and  greeted  him  with  a 
u od  of  her  head,  and  said  : 

"Ah,  I  see  the  Heniior  is  out  for  a  hunt ;  when  he  returns  he 
must  not  forget  to  call  at  the  farm  and  take  some  refreshment.  I 
may  be  back  then  ;  but  if  not,  Carlos  will  be  proud  to  serve  you." 

Arthur  assured  her  that  he  would  be  glad  to  accept  her  invi 
tation,  and  then  both  proceeded  on  their  way.  It  was  well  for  the 
poor  woman  that  she  did  not  see  the  sinister  smile  which  darkened 
liis  face,  after  he  had  turned  his  back  to  her.  Little  did  she  dream 
what  dark  clouds  were  rising  over  her  home,  threatening  to  destroy 
its  happiness.  They  accompanied  the  horseman  so  kindly  invited 
by  her,  and  settled  on  the  place  as  he  arrived  there.  Arthur  dis 
mounted,  tied  his  horse  to  a  post  and  then  looked  arouned  in  quest 
of  the  owner  of  the  farm.  Presently  this  person  emerged  from  the 
liouse.  On  observing  the  visitor,  a  ghastly  pallor  once  more  over- 


The  TrenHt.irr  of  Monteznma.  53 

spread  his  face;  but  he  seemed  to  battle  with  his  consternation 
with  the  energy  of  despair,  and  finally  succeeded  so  far  as  to  ad  - 
vance  towards  the  other  with  a  faltering  step  and  to  say : 

"  Ritenas  dias,  Capitain  :  what  brings  yon  and  what  can  poov 
Carlos  do  for  you  ?" 

The  bandit  eyed  him  for  a  moment  with  a  glance  such  as  the 
rattlesnake  is  said  to  shoot  forth  when  it  is  ready  to  slay  its  victim. 

"  What  brings  me  here,  Carlos?  "  he  at  length  asked  with  an 
icy  tone.  "  Surely  you  must  have  forgotten  your  duties  and  mine. 
Tell  me  what  did  you  swear  when  I  received  you  a  member  of  my 
band?" 

"To  adhere  to  you  in  good  and  evil  fortune,"  the  farmer  said 
with  an  utter  hopelessness  painful  to  behold. 

"  And  what  did  I  swear?  " 

"To  do  the  same,  and  punish  me  with  instant  death  if  yon 
found  me  treacherous  to  you  and  to  my  oath." 

"Well,  I  h'nd  your  memory  better  than  I  thought,"  the  robber 
said  with  mocking  emphasis,  folding  his  hands  deliberately  on  his 
breast.  "  And  now  tell  me  :  What  have  you  to  say  in  your  de 
fence,  that  might  extenuate  your  treachery,  stay  my  arm  and 
justify  me  in  violating  my  oath  ?" 

The  poor  farmer  quailed  under  the  stern  glance  of  the  other. 
His  reasoning  powers  seemed  to  leave  him  completely  ;  and  he  felt 
himself  entirely  at  the  mercy  of  his  cruel  persecutor.  Undoubted 
ly  he  was  so,  at  lea.st  at  this  moment,  unless  he  meant  to  risk  a 
deadly  encounter  with  a  man  whose  strength  and  prowess  he  had 
probably  witnessed  more  than  once. 

"Capitain,"  he  finally  gasped,  "I  have  to  say  but  little,  and 
what  I  have  to  say  will  have  little  or  no  weight  with  you.  I 
learned  to  love  a  woman,  her  whom  you  saw  here  yesterday.  It  is 
her  happiness  and  that  of  little  Annetta  which  your  appearance 
places  in  jeopardy,  and  if  there  is  a  spark  of  humanity  burning  in 
your  bosom,  oh!  do  not  destroy  the  peace  of  those  a  thousand 
times  dearer  to  me  than  life." 

No  mein  in  the  bandit's  face  showed  whether  this  passionate 
appeal  had  touched  his  heart  or  not.  It  was  his  interest  to  preserve 
an  austere  contenance,  for  as  the  reader  may  well  imagine,  it  was 
not  the  poor  fellow's  life  he  sought  but  the  use  he  could  draw  from 


54  The  Treasure  of  Monte3U'nwi\ 

his  fear.  It  must  be  confessed  that  ('arlo's  appeal  had  stirred  him. 
A  few  days  ago  he  would  probably  have  sneered  at  it ;  but  recently 
he  had  learned  to  love  and  was  therefore  in  sympathy  with  a  lover's 
woe.  Pretending1  to  relent,  he  said  at  last : 

"  Well,  Carlos,  I  am  not  a  tiger  that  I  should  thirst  for  blood, 
and  if  you  prove  by  your  actions  that  you  still  adhere  tonic,  I 
shall  do  nothing  to  destroy  your  domestic  happiness." 

"  And  what  must  I  do  to  prove  my  fidelity  to  you  ?  If  it  is  in 
my  power  I  shall  obey -you,  for  I  would  sacrifice  much  to  save  my 
loved  ones  from  harm.  But  this  I  tell  you  :  you  must  not  ask  me 
to  do  anything  against  Father  Herbert,  for  it  would  be  useless.  E 
would  rather  suffer  a  thousand  deaths;  yea,  I  would  rather  see  rny 
darlings  come  to  grief,  than  touch  a  hair  of  his  head,  or  suffer 
others  to  harm  him/' 

The,  bandit  looked  with  astonishment  upon  the  man  whose  face 
had  become  radiant  under  the  influence  of  a  noble  sentiment. 
Arthur  had  seen  this  unbounded  devotion  to  his  relative  before, 
but  never  had  it  assumed  so  striking  an  aspect.  He,  himself,  had 
not  been  able  to  keep .  wholly  free  from  the  influence  of  this  re 
markable  man,  but  his  sordid  nature  was  unable  to  grasp  the  full 
grandeur  of  his  character  ;  so  he  asked  wonderingly  : 

"  Why,  my  uncle  seems  to  have  bewitched  you.  What  has  he 
done  to  deserve  such  boundless  devotion  ?  " 

"  What  has  he  not,  done  V  "  To  tell  you  all  that  he  has  done  for 
the  people  of  this  valley,  and  many  thousands  outside  of  it,  would 
take  whole  days,  but  this  I  will  say,  he  has  elevated  hundreds  of 
thousands  from  the  slavery  of  cruel  masters  and  the  more  cruel  des 
potism  of  evil  passions  to  the  dignity  of  human  beings.  He  has 
changed  care  and  misery  into  a  happiness,  unmarred  by  want  ;  yea, 
almost  by  sickness,  for,  by  his  judicious  sanitary  regulations,  he  has 
succeeded  in  banishing  disease  from  this  happy  valley.  He  is  totally 
free  from  the  love  of  self,  but  to  indemnify  him,  an  ardent  love  for 
him,  our  common  father,  burns  in  the  breast  of  every  one  of  us., 
Indeed  there  his  voice  sank  to  a  wisper,  half  conjuring,  half  threat 
ening)  if  you  love  your  life,  do  not  breathe  to  any  living  soul  your 
designs  of  harming  Father  Herbert,  if  such,  perchance,  you  enter 
tain. 

The  bandit  felt   like  getting  angry  at  what  he  considered    an 


The  Treasure  of  Monteznma.  55 

unwarranted  liberty  on  the  part  of  a  man  who,  under  ordinary  cir 
cumstances,  would  not  have  dared  to  use  such  language  to  him, 
but  hard  as  he  tried,  he  could  not  help  being  impressed  by  a  great 
ness  capable  of  producing  such  striking  results.  So  he  contented 
himself  by  replying : 

"You  are  a  good  fellow,  Carlos,  and  my  uncle  ought  to  feel 
very  grateful  for  such  friendly  feelings  ;  indeed,  I  shall  not  fail  to 
tell  him  at  the  first  opportunity  which  offers." 

"Nay,  Capitain,  you  may  as  well  save  yourself  the  trouble,  for 
such  sentiments  as  I  have  expressed  are  so  common  here  that 
you  would  only  be  laughed  at  for  your  trouble." 

Arthur  bit  his  lips.  This  fellow,  formerly  so  willing  a  tool 
now  dared  to  have  an  opinion  of  his  own,  and,  what  was  worse,  to 
express  it.  Yet  it  would  not  answer  to  raise  a  fuss  or  harm  him,  so 
he  hastened  to  change  the  subject  and  said  : 

"Well,  let  that  rest,  Carlos.  Nothing  is  further  from  my 
mind  than  the  wish  of  harming  my  uncle,  nor  anybody  else,  for 
that  matter.  You  see,  I  am  used  to  a  different  style  of  living  from 
what  they  follow  here.  Most  of  all,  I  miss  my  cigars  ;  in  fact, 
some  times  my  desire  for  one  is  so  strong  that  I  can  hardly  bear  it. 
Besides  this,  I  miss  my  glass  of  rum.  You  know  we  fellows  are 
used  to  something  stronger  than  this  sickening  sour  wine  of  which 
one  can  swallow  a  gallon  without  feeling  the  effect  in  either  head 
or  stomach.  Now  I  want  your  assistance  in  procuring  these  things 
•for  me  ;  also  a  place  where  to  enjoy  them.  That  is,  in  truth,  about 
all  I  expect  of  you." 

Carlos  seemed  somewhat  relieved  at  these  words,  although  it 
would  not  have  required  much  discernment  to  discover  that  he 
would  rather  have  seen  his  captain  any  other  place  than  the  one  at 
which  he  was. 

"I  understand  your  feelings,"  he  said,  scratching  his  head, 
"and  shall  be  very  glad  to  help  you  all  I  can,  but  that  won't 
amount  to  much,  I  fear.  You  could  ransack  the  whole  settlement, 
I  wager,  and  not  find  a  hundred  weight  of  tobacco,  and  those  who 
possess  a  little,  hold  on  like  grim  death.  You  must  know,  they  do 
not  raise  any  here ;  in  fact,  it  is  only  the  older  folks  that  use  it  at 
all,  and  they  only  secretly,  since  Father  Herbert  does  not  approve 
of  it,  saying  that  it  hurts  the  constitution.  Nevertheless,  I  shall 


56  The  Treasure,  of  Montezuma. 

endeavor  to  get  you  a  few  cigars,  though,  if  you  mean  to  remain 
in  Friedensthal,  you  had  better  try  to  learn  to  do  without  them." 

"But  what  about  rum ? " 

"  AVell,  it  is  neither  made  nor  sold  here,  but  the  druggists  keep 
it  for  medical  purposes,  and  if  you  are  willing  to  pay  a  good  round 
price  for  it,  you  can  procure  it,  as  it  is  not  so  much  the  law  as  the 
custom  which  forbids  its  usage  as  a  beverage." 

"Ah,  I  am  glad  to  hear  it ;  here  is  money  to  make  your  purch 
ases.  But  where  can  I  find  a  place  to  indulge  in  this  forbidden 
fruit?" 

"You  do  not  want  your  uncle's  folks  to  know  anything  about 
it?" 

"Of  course  not;  Avhy  else  should  I  take  such  measures  of 
secrecy." 

"In  that  case,  it  would  not  do  to  drink  and  smoke  here,  for  Miss 
Inez  is  an  almost  daily  visitor,  and  would  be  apt  to  find  you  out 
sooner  or  later.  Let  me  see,  well,  yes,  I  think  that  might  do.  At 
the  north-western  comer  of  the  farm  there  is  a  dense  cluster  of 
bushes,  which  is  rarely  visited  by  my  wife  or  daughter.  There  you 
could  hide  the  rum  and  tobacco,  and  indulge  whenever  you  felt 
like  it.  Come,  I  may  as  well  show  you  the  place  now." 

He  led  the  bandit  to  the  place  indicated  :  the  bushes  were  in 
deed  very  dense  and  their  pricky  nature  made  an  entrance  rather 
difficult,  except  at  one  side,  where  a  narrow  passage  led  to  the 
center. 

There  they  found  a  table  and  a  bench,  both  in  a  rather  dilapi 
dated  condition,  but  still  fit  for  use. 

"Why,  that  answers  splendidly,"  said  Arthur,  "and  when  can 
you  get  these  things  for  me?" 

"  Well,  that  is  hard  to  say,  I  shall  try  this  very  day,  but  it  may 
take  a  week,  for  all  I  know.  I'll  tell  you  what  I  shall  do.  I  see 
there  is  a  drawer  in  the  table,  an  excellent  place  to  hide  the  con 
traband.  You  may  examine  it  every  time  you  pass  here  and  may 
rest  assured  that  1  shall  try  my  very  best  to  put  you  in  possession 
as  soon  as  possible." 

With  this  they  parted.  The  farmer  looked  after  the  receding 
figure,  and  said,  shaking  his  head  dubiously  : 

"I  would  give  a  great  deal  if  this  had  not  happened,  but  I  am 


The  Treasure  of  Monteffuma.  57 

only  paying  the  penalty  for  my  past  sins,  and  have  therefore  no 
reason  to  complain.  But  that  this  capitain  should  turn  out  to  be  the 
nephew  of  Father  Herbert.  If  he  should  find  it  out,  what  would 
he  say;  how  would  he  feel?  it  would  make  him  wretched  indeed- 
No,  no,  he  must  never  know,  if  I  can  help  it.  I'll  try  to  keep  this 
capitain  of  mine  out  of  mischief,  but  if  he  tries  to  do  harm  to  him 
or  his,  then — ." 

He  mutterd  the  last  words  through  his  teeth,  and  his  hand 
clenched  involuntarily,  while  his  eyes  shot  forth  glances  portend 
ing  little  good  to  the  bandit,  in  case  he  ventured  to  disregard  his 
warning. 

When  Marguerita  returned,  half  an  hour  later,  her  first  inquiry 
was  after  the  handsome  young  nephew  of  Mr.  Grau.  When  she 
learned  that  he  had  been  there  but  rejected  all  offers  of  hospitality, 
she  expressed  her  regret  in  the  liveliest  terms  and  could  not  tire  in 
singing  his  praise. 

"Clara  says,"  she  went  on,  "he  is  the  very  pattern  of  a  gentle 
man,  and  pays  her  the  most  marked  attention.  I  told  her  that  she 
must  not  think  of  him  in  that  light,  as  he  was  probably  intended 
for  Miss  Inez,  but  she  declares  up  and  down  that  Miss  Inez  does 
not  like  him  a  bit  and  would  not  marry  him  if  he  were  the  last  man 
in  the  world." 

"Which  shows  that  she  has  more  sense  than  both  of  you,"  her 
husband  threw  in  almost  sternly.  She  looked  at  him  surprised  at 
both  his  words  and  the  manner  of  uttering  them. 

"Thank  you  for  the  compliment,"  she  replied  and  dropped  a  little 
mock  courtesy.  "Not  that  I  want  to  dispute  Inez's  good  sense,  but 
I  think  she  does  not  show  brilliant  proofs  of  it  in  this  matter.  Now 
confess  :  is  not  Sennor  Arturo  very  handsome?" 

"Agreed,"  but  remember,  the  old  adage  :     "Handsome  is  what 
handsome  does." 

"Well,  what  of  it,  do  you  mean  to  insinute  that  Sennor 
Arturo  does  not  handsome  ?  Do  you  perchance  know  anything 
bad  about  him?" 

"No,  no,  Marguerita, — that  is — .  Of  course,  I  don't,"  he  in- 
terupted  himself,  as  if  startled  at  his  own  temerity. 

"Well,  then,  why  do  you  talk  as  if  you  did?  I  am  sure,  as 
far  as  Clara  is  concerned,  she  is  good  enough  for  a  prince." 


58  The  Treasure  of  Monteznma. 

"( i  ranting  that  she  is,  that  does  not  make  this  sudden  freak  of 
yours  and  hers  any  less  preposterous.  He  hasn't  been  here  two 
days  when,  presto,  she  falls  in  love  with  him,  and  my  sensible 
Margarita  abets  and  upholds  her  in  a  very  foolish  notion,  which 
may  not  merely  interfere  with  the  plans  of  our  benefactor,  but  also 
wreck  her  happiness." 

"There  it  is  again !  As  if  it  was  a  great  misfortune  to  marry  a 
handsome  young  man  with  excellent  prospects.  As  to  interfering 
with  father  Herbert's  plans,  who  thinks  of  it?  His  own  daughter 
does  not  want  him,  so  what  difference  can  it  make  to  him,  if  he 
marry  Clara?  I  am  sure  our  family  can  hold  up  their  heads  with 
the  best  of  them." 

"Clearly  infatuated,"  he  muttered  between  his  teeth:  "curse 
the  fellow!"  Then  aloud:  "Marguerita,  listen  to  reason.  It  is 
unbecoming  in  your  sister  to  throw  herself  on  the  neck  of  a 
stranger  whom  she  has  only  known  a  day  or  two.  She  will  rue  this 
haste,  and,  mark  me,  so  will  you,  if  you  aid  her  in  an  undertaking 
which  is  well  nigh  madness.  At  all  events,  I  shall  have  nothing  to 
do  with  the  scheme.  I  have  done  my  duty  in  warning  you,  and  if 
you,  do  not  heed  my  words,  remember,  on  your  head  will  fall  the 
responsibility." 

With  these  words  he  left  her,  fearing  perhaps  to  be  led  into 
saying  more  than  was  compatible  with  his  safety.  His  words  stag 
gered  her  a  little,  for  he  had  rarely  spoken  so  earnestly  and  im 
pressively  before ;  but  what  weight  could  the  most  serious  words 
possibly  have  upon  a  woman,  bent  upon  match-making,  especially 
when,  as  in  this  case,  her  own  aggrandizement  was  involved  in  the 
scheme?  She  poohed  her  conscience  into  silence  by  persuading  her 
self  that  she  understood  these  matters  better  than  her  husband,  and 
entered  the  house  with  the  determination  that  Clara  should  have 
this  handsome  youth,  if  any  engineering  of  hers  could  possibly 
bring  about  the  match. 

The  object  of  all  these  schemes  had  meanwhile  sped  on  his  way, 
and  soon  reached  the  woods  whose  trees  loomed  in  solemn  grandeur 
and  majesty  into  the  air.  They  were  not  all  pines,  although  that 
species  predominated  to  such  an  exten  as  to  impress  its  character 
upon  the  forrest.  The  trees  were  mostly  of  gigantic  size  creating 
in  many  places  a  semi-obscurity  resembling  twilight.  We  know 


The  Treutni'e  of  Jfontezttnw:  5J)1 

that  our  bandit  was  not  very  sensitive  to  the  charms  of  nature  ;  but 
no  human  being,  however  callous,  could  ride  through  these  mag 
nificent  woods  without  being  in  a  measure  impressed  by  their  beau-1 
ty  and  grandeur.  Nor  did  Arthur  wholly  withstand  their  en 
nobling  influence,  although  he  was  probably  unconscious  of  the 
fact.  Nor  was  this  influence  a  positive  one,  as  it  only  reached 
sufficiently  far  to  keep  him  from  evil  thoughts  and  scheming  whilst 
in  their  midst.  His  thoughts  dwelled  almost  constantly  upon  the 
young  girl  he  had  only  seen  to  love  her.  At  that  moment  he  felt 
only  the  ardent  desire  to  see  her  happy,  although  it  was  doubtful 
whether  he  could  have  risen  to  the  height  of  self-deinal  to  bring 
about  that  purpose.  lie  felt,  however,  something  like  regret  at' 
the  career  of  wickedness  he  had  run,  less  on  account  of  its  intrinsic 
sinfulness  than  on  that  of  the  deep  gulf  it  had  created  between  the 
charming  and  innocent  girl  and  himself.  He  felt  instinctively  that 
she  divined  his  gross  and  sullied  nature  and  shrank  from  him  with 
out  knowing  why. 

He  had  thus  ridden  about  a  mile,  so  deeply  engrossed  in  his 
thoughts,  that  he  hardly  heeded  where  he  was  or  what  he  did,  when 
suddenly  a  savage  growl  in  his  immediate  neighborhood  aroused 
and  caused  him  to  look  up  in  surprise.  At  this  place  the  woods 
were  more  than  usually  dense  and,  consequently  dark,  and  for  a 
moment  he  failed  to  discover  the  cause  of  the  noise,  which  increased 
constantly  in  volume  and  fierceness.  It  seemed  to  come  from  on 
high,  and  he  therefore  turned  his  eyes  to  the  branches  of  the  neigh 
boring  trees,  They  were  so  dense  that  even  then  he  would  proba 
bly  have  failed  to  discover  the  cause  of  these  terrific  sounds  if  the 
branches  had  not  suddenly  begun  to  shake  and  bend,  thus  display 
ing  the  body  of  a  powerful  puma,  which  was  on  the  point  of  mak 
ing  a  spring  at  him.  Indeed  at  this  very  moment  the  gigantic  cat 
bounded  forth,  uttering  a  cry  so  savage  that  even  the  bravest  might 
well  have  quailed  under  it.  Arthur's  cheek  blanched  a  little, 
probably  more  from  the  suddenness  than  the  ferocity  of  the  onset. 
Whatever  we  may  think  of  his  moral  qualities,  it  must  be  con 
fessed  that  he  was  a  man  of  great  physical  courage,  and  fully  up 
to  the  emergency.  He  had  no  time  to  think,  hardly  to  act,  but 
what  little  respite  was  left  him  he  put  to  use  with  a  rapidity  and 
presence  of  mind  to  which  we  cannot  deny  our  recognition. 


<>()  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

Never  in  all  his  life  had  his  wonderful  horsemanship  done  him 
such  excellent  service.  Taking  his  steed  well  between  the  knees, 
he  caused  it  to  execute  a  spring  which  landed  it  at  least  ten  feet 
from  the  spot  where  it  had  stood  before,  while  in  the  air  he  felt  the 
body  of  the  puma  grazing  his  sholder,  without,  however,  doing  any 
harm.  It  was  a  narrow  escape  but  the  young  man  had  no  time  to 
congratulate  himself  upon  it,  for  he  knew  that  the  animal  would  re 
new  the  attact.  Looking  around  to  see  where  the  puma  had  landed, 
he  left  his  horse  make  another  leap  which  brought  the  trunk  of  the 
tree  between  him  and  his  adversary.  This  momentary  advantage 
gave  him  time  to  draw  his  weapon  and  thus  prepare  for  a  second 
onset.  He  had  taken  a  rifle  with  him,  but  it  was  not  the  weapon 
he  could  handle  to  the  best  advantage.  It  was  the  revolver,  rather, 
with  which  he  was  an  expert.  So  skilled,  indeed,  was  he  in  its  use 
that  he  might  safely  boast  of  never  missing  his  mark.  The  one  he 
had  drawn  was  a  forty-eight  caliber,  a  fearful  weapon  in  a  practiced 
hand,  and  when  Arthur's  fingers  clutched  it  a  smile  of  assurance 
and  triumph  passed  over  his  face.  Looking  past  the  tree,  he  saw 
the  hugh  cat  crouching  on  the  earth,  lashing  the  ground  with  it? 
tail  and  waiting  for  an  opportunity  of  making  a  second  spring. 
The  young  man  was  now  ready  to  take  the  aggressive  ;  so  riding  a 
step  to  the  right,  he  once  more  exposed  himself  to  the  gaze  of  the 
puma,  who  was  not  slow  to  benefit  by  this  chance  and  once  more 
bounded  into  the  air.  Arthur  retreated  with  a  spring  on  his  part, 
and  as  the  animal  passed  in  close  proximity,  sent  a  bullet  crushing 
through  its  skull.  The  puma  half  bounded,  half  fell  and  struck 
the  ground  with  great  force.  Arthur  knew  too  well  the  tenacity 
of  life  possessed  by  the  cat  tribe  to  approach  it  and  therefore  sent 
another  bullet  into  the  head  of  the  puma  before  venturing  to 
handle  it. 

He  could  not  help  viewing  the  animal  with  exultation,  for  not 
only  was  this  the  largest  puma  he  had  ever  slain,  but  he  felt  a  par 
donable  pride  at  the  thought  that  the  circumstances  connected  with 
the  encounter  made  his  victory  doubly  a  source  of  gratification. 
He  studied  a  moment  what  he  should  do  next,  and  then  having 
formed  his  resolution,  galloped  rapidly  to  the  farm,  where  he  was 
received  with  a  gracious  smile  by  Marguerita,  while  her  husband 
felt  a  pardonable  pang  over  the  sudden  and  unexpected  return  of 


The  Treasure  of  Montezn ma.  Gl 

his  dubious  friend.  He  felt  somewhat  relieved,  however,  when  he 
learned  the  reason  of  the  second  call.  He  readily  entered  upon 
the  other's  views,  hitched  up  a  horse  and  drove  without  delay  to 
the  spot  where  the  dead  puma  lay. 

"Whew!  What  an, ugly  customer;"  he  could  not  help  ex 
claiming  in  admiration  ;  as  he  perceived  the  huge  carcass  stretched 
on  the  ground.  You  are  a  tough  adversary  to  meet,  Capitan." 

"A  fact  you  will  bear  in  mind,  I  trust,"  was  the  dry  reply. 
"Now,  lend  a  hand  and  help  me  skin  the  fellow;  it  would  not  do 
to  delay  the  matter  in  this  hot  climate  and  I  would  hate  to  loose 
this  superb  skin.  I  shot  him  through  the  head,  you  see,  so  there 
isn't  a  single  bullet  hole  to  mar  its  beauty." 

The  two  set  to  work  and  in  fifteen  minutes  the  brute  had  been 
Hayed  and  the  skin  deposited  in  the  wagon.  As  they  reached  the 
farm,  they  found  Marguerita  standing  at  the  junction  of  the  private 
road  and  the  highway.  She  knew  that  Carlos  had  agreed  to  take 
the  skin  to  the  city,  and  had  come  thus  far  to  see  the  trophy  of  the 
young  man's  prowess.  She  shuddered  at  the  sight ;  but,  if  anything 
had  been  wanting  to  complete  the  infatuation  with  which  she  look" 
ed  upon  this  young  man,  the  glory  of  his  bold  achievement  finish 
ed  the  nimbus  she  had  already  woven  around  his  head. 

The  reader  must  not  understand  us.  We  do  not  mean  to  insin 
uate  that  her  admiration  of  him  interfered  in  the  least  with  the 
vow  of  fidelity  she  had  made  in  favor  of  her  husband.  She  admir 
ed,  yea  loved  this  hero  merely  in  the  interest  of  her  sister,  to  whom 
she  was  attached  with  a  touching  fervor.  She  loved  him,  as  it 
were,  simply  by  proxy,  and  was  more  than  ever  determined  that  so 
much  loveliness  and  valor  should  fall  to  no  one's  share  but  her  sis 
ter's,  if  she  had  anything  to  say  in  the  matter. 

When  the  hunter  and  his  trophy  arrived  at  the  villa,  the  in 
mates  were  not  stingy  in  their  praise.  It  is  in  woman's  nature  to 
place  the  idol  of  her  heart  upon  the  pedestal  of  heroism,  and  we 
ueeJ,  therefore,  not  wonder  that  the  new-born  fancy  of  poor  Clara 
was  fanned  into  a  fiery  flame  by  this  incident.  Even  Inez  felt 
somewhat  softened  towards  her  relative  and,  though  she  was  far 
from  liking  him  even  then,  she  could  not  help  giving  him  credit 
for  the  courage  and  presence  of  mind  which  his  encounter  with  the 
puma  had  proved  him  to  possess. 


62  The  Treasure  of  Mbntezuma. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

DEVELOl'EMEXTS. 

We  have  not  time  to  narrate  the  incidents  of  the  next  week  in 
detail.  They  did  not  bring  any  striking  events  ;  it  is  rather  the 
under  currents  which  gave  it  interest,  and  these  we  shall  endeaver 
to  trace  to  the  best  of  our  ability,  although  by  doing  so,  we  may  be 
obliged  to  notice  traits  not  very  Mattering  to  human  nature. 

As  the  days  passed,  Herbert  and  Inex  became  gradually  acquain- 
ed  with  Arthur's  character,  and  what  they  saw,  was  not  calculated 
to  increase  either  their  esteem  or  their  affection.  Of  course,  they 
were  unable  to  fathom  the  full  depth  of  his  depravity,  for  he  took 
good  care  to  hide  that  as  well  as  possible  ;  but  we  discover  a  cur 
rent  by  the  smallest  blade  and  can  judge  a  character  pretty  accur 
ately  by  little  traits  which,  though  seemingly  unimportant  in  them 
selves  form  a  striking  chain  when  linked  together.  Herbert  suffer 
ed  under  these  discoveries  like  a  patient  undergoing  an  operation 
which,  while  painful  in  itself,  becomes  doubly  so  by  the  applica 
tion  of  the  surgeon's  knife  day  after  day  and  week  after  week.  He 
was  certainly  a  man  of  nerve  and  endurance  ;  but  to  thus  see  the 
fondest  expectation,  based  on  the  assertions  of  a  reliable  friend, 
wilting  like  a  valued  plant,  was  almost  unindurable.  He  tried  to 
forget  his  disappointment  by  redoubled  devotion  to  the  welfare  of 
the  colony  and  frequent  journeys  to  its  different  parts,  but  these 
efforts  were  much  like  the  taking  of  opiates  for  the  purpose  of 
stilling  pain,  the  reaction  following  the  narcotic  being  worse  than 
the  momentary  relief.  It  was  not  so  much  the  discovery  of  the 
traces  of  vice  which  he  had  found,  as  the  utter  absence  of  apprecia 
tion  of  the  grand  work  for  which  Herbert  had  educated  and  destin 
ed  the  young  man,  that  grieved  him.  The  vices  he  might  have 
corrected,  but  to  instill  noble  sentiments  into  an  ignoble  heart  was 
an  almost  hopeless  task.  The  young  man  seemed  to  have  no  aim 
but  the  immediate  gratification  of  his  gross  appetities,  without  a 
thought  of  consequence,  and,  what  was  worse,  a  total  disregard  for 
the  feelings,  wishes  and  rights  of  others.  Not  that  he  had  any  de 
sire  to  enslave  them,  but  his  total  disregard  for  their  rights  was 


The  Treasure  of  Monteziuna.  63 

nearly  as  bad,  for  in  his  case  his  passions  were  apt  to  create  havoc 
as  the  scheming  villany  of  the  despot.  Herbert  felt  that  it  would 
never  do  to  entrust  the  welfare  of  his  people  to  the  tender  mercy  of 
this  youth  ;  yes,  he  would  have  even  doubted  his  right  of  inflicting 
his  presence  upon  them,  if  he  had  not  calculated  that  they  could 
not  always  expect  to  be  free  from  such  disturbing  influences,  and 
that  virtue  or  innocence  untried,  is  of  a  doubtful  value.  The 
reader  will  later  have  an  opportunity  to  look  more  deeply  into  the 
plans  of  this  reformer,  and  discover  that  one  of  his  chief  aims  was 
to  make  his  people  self-reliant  and  strong,  fii  withstanding  the 
aggressions  of  both  outward  and  inward  foes,  as  our  passions  may 
well  be  termed. 

Herbert  had  found  no  difficulty  in  discovering  that  the  acquire 
ments  of  youth  were  on  a  level  with  his  morals.  The  former  de 
ficiency,  however,  he  might  have  pardened  more  readily,  for  it  was 
of  a  nature  more  easily  remedied.  An  ignorant  man  might  enter 
into  his  plans  with  eagerness ;  a  depraved  one,  never.  Still,  this 
second  disappointment  was  a  sore  one.  He  had  been  particular  in 
requesting  Anton  Stamm  to  see  to  the  careful  and  thorough  instruc 
tion  of  his  ward  in  chemistry  and  engineering,  and  discovered  by  a 
question  put  now  and  then,  in  an  apparently  causal  manner,  that 
the  young  man  did  not  possess  even  an  elementary  knowledge  of 
these  branches  of  science.  It  was  an  absolutely  insolvable  riddle 
to  Herbert,  how  his  friend  Stamm,  whom  he  had  always  known  as 
a  man  of  discrimination,  could  have  been  so  blind  to  such  enor 
mous  short  comings,  but  the  possibility  of  a  fraud  practiced  upon 
him  by  this  young  man  never  once  entered  his  mind.  The  very 
enormity  of  the  deception  prevented  such  a  discovery.  He,  him 
self,  could  not  even  have  conceived  a  similar  deception  and,  like  all 
great  minds,  he  was  totally  free  from  suspicion.  It  would,  of 
course,  have  been  beyond  humane  power  to  prevent  these  thoughts 
and  feelings  from  slightly  coloring  his  behaviour  towards  the  young 
man.  Besides,  if  Herbert  was  free  from  suspicion,  he  was  even 
more  so  from  hypocrisy,  and  nothing  in  the  world  could  have  in 
duced  him  to  show  the  youth  an  affection  he  did  not  feel.  Arthur 
felt  that  his  relative  more  than  suspected  both  his  character  and 
his  ignorance,  and  therefore  always  experienced  a  restraint  in  his 
presence  which  he  could  not  entirely  conceal.  He  made  it,  indeed, 


64  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

a  point  to  absent  himself  from  the  villa  as  much  as  possible, 
although,  by  doing  so,  he  deprived  himself  of  the  company  of  the 
girl  that  he  had  learned  to  love  with  a  passion  so  absorbing  as  to 
force  all  other  feelings  into  the  background.  True,  he  still  indulg 
ed  his  appetite  for  ardent  spirits  to  a  deplorable  extent,  and  paid 
numerous  visits  to  Carlos'  farm  for  that  purpose,  but  these  potations 
served  as  much  for  the  purpose  of  drowning  unrequited,  and  there 
fore  hopeless,  as  the  the  more  direct  gratification  of  a  gross  appe 
tite.  Unfortunately  his  disappointment  led  him  to  indulge  in  an 
other  pastime  which,  if  less  injurious  to  himself,  was  calculated  to 
destroy  the  happiness  of  another  person. 

The  love  which  artless  Clara  had  conceived  for  him  was  so  man 
ifest  and  undisguised  that  it  could  not  well  escape  the  observation 
of  the  young  man.  Far  though  he  was  from  returning  it,  he  look 
ed  at  and  talked  to  the  poor  girl  frequently  in  a  manner  well  calcu 
lated  to  mislead  and  inspire  her  with  a  fallacious  hope  of  an  ulti 
mate  realization  of  her  wishes.  It  evidently  gave  the  unprincipled 
fellow  a  grim  satisfaction  to  inflict  upon  another,  though  innocent 
party,  the  same  torture  he  was  enduring.  l>ut  love  is  watchful, 
and  the  keen  eyes  of  Clara  were  not  slow  to  discover  the  ardent 
glances  which  Arthur  could  not  forbear  from  casting  upon  the  sub 
ject  of  his  passion.  Soon  the  dreadful  fiend,  jealousy,  lodged  in  the 
bosom  of  the  poor  girl,  inflicting  tortures  inexpressively  painful. 

This  demon  even  affected  her  feelings  towards  Inez.  Fervent 
ly,  though,  she  had  loved  her  mistress  only  a  few  days  ago,  there 
were  moments  now  when  she  hated  her.  Nothing  in  Inez's  con 
duct  justified  her  in  believing  that  she  returned  her  cousin's  affec 
tion  ;  on  the  contrary,  her  behaviour  towards  him  was  cold  and  dis. 
tant.  Hut  was  it  not  enough  that  she  possessed  the  love  of  tin 
man  to  whom  she  had  surrendered  herself  without  reserve?  The 
reader  may  wonder  at  this  sudden  infatuation,  but  if  he  does,  he 
shows  that  he  is  unacquainted  with  the  workings  of  the  human  heart 
especially  when  this  heart  beats  in  the  bosom  of  a  Mexican  girl, 
whose  fiery  nature  has  not  been  toned  down  by  culture  and  educa 
tion.  And  Inez  herself?  She  was  the  prey  of  conflicting  emotions 
for  while  the  prompting  of  a  generous  nature  urged  her  to  pity  the 
failings  of  an  erring  soul,  her  high-strung  mind  refused  to  overlook 
foible  which,  in  her  estimation,  were  perfectly  inexcusable.  She 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  65 

could  not  help  seeing  her  fathers  sad  disappointment,  and  it  was 
this  more  than  anything  else  which  hardened  her  heart  toward  this 
wayward  young  man.  She  idolized  her  father,  who,  as  she  believ 
ed,  towered  far  above  all  other  men,  and  little  chance,  indeed,  had 
he  of  winning  her  affection  who  ventured  to  grieve  her  father. 
Inez  was  a  girl  considerably  above  the  level  of  her  sex.  She  was 
gifted  with  a  mind  of  wonderful  discrimination,  and  her  natural 
abilities  had  been  heightened  by  a  through  and  far-reaching  educa 
tion.  She  spoke  German,  Spanish,  English  and  French  with  the 
fluency  of  a  native,  and  her  knowledge  of  natural  science  and  other 
branches  were  by  no  means  to  be  dispised.  In  addition  to  this 
her  mind  had  preserved  the  entire  buoyancy  and  simplicity  of  a 
child,  and  her  body  had,  by  the  judicious  training  of  a  wise  father, 
received  a  grace,  strength  and  elasticity  increasing  greatly  her 
natural  charms.  We  can  hardly  blame  her  cousin  for  conceiving 
for  her  so  absorbing  a  passion,  though  we  cannot  but  marvel  at  the 
presumption  of  hoping  against  hope  for  a  return  of  his  feelings. 

These  were  the  main  undercurrents  we  spoke  of,  and  having 
traced  them  here  in  slight  outlines,  we  are  ready  to  take  up  once 
more  the  thread  of  our  story. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE   BIGGER    RASCAL    OF   THE   TWO. 

It  was  about  six  weeks  after  the  arrival  of  Arthur,  when  a  tele 
gram  was  handed  to  Herbert  which  seemed  to  arouse  his  curoisity 
in  no  small  degree.  He  mused,  shook  his  head  and  evidently  in 
clined  to  reply  negatively  to  the  message,  whatever  that  may  have 
been.  On  second  thought,  however,  he  changed  his  mind,  mutter 
ing  to  himself :  "No,  let  him  come.  We  cannot  expect  to  be  spared 
such  trials,  and  to  meet  them  makes  us  strong.  Yes,  let  him 
come." 

"Philip  Grau,"  he  continued  soliloquizing,  "what  memories 
that  name  arouses  in  my  mind.  Once  more  I  see  his  father,  the 


66  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

friend  who  destroyed  the  peace  and  happiness  of  my  youth.  I  see 
his  mother,  so  dear  to  me  that  all  these  long  years  have  not  been 
able  to  efface  her  image  from  rny  mind.  For  her  .sake,  if  from 
nothing  else,  I  ought  to  show  hospitality  to  her  son.  And  yet,  I 
fear,  he  takes  after  his  father  ;  perhaps  outstrips  him  in  those 
diabolical  traits  of  character  which  caused  me  years  of  intense  suf 
fering." 

Unfolding  a  paper,  he  read  :  ' '  You  wish  the  pen  picture  of 
Philip  Grau  ?  Very  well,  here  it  is  :  Philip  Grau,  or  rather  Yon 
Grau,  as  he  calls  himself  now,  the  King  having  enobled  his  family, 
is  no  ordinary  man,  but  his  whole  nature  is  saturated  with  so  mon 
strous  an  egotism  that  he  becomes  not  merely  useless,  but  absolutely 
dangerous  to  mankind.  His  own  interest  being  the  only  guiding 
star,  he  tramples  down  everything  in  his  way  with  the  most  un 
scrupulous  indifference.  I  verily  believe  that  he  would  spare 
neither  father  nor  mother  if  they  stood  in  the  way  to  some  cherish 
ed  object.  You  can  easily  see  how  dangeroug  a  man  he  become  by 
the  very  mental  power  which,  if  coupled  with  a  different  disposi 
tion,  might  have  been  of  much  service  to  the  world.  Moreover, 
Philip  Grau  is  a  perfect  master  in  the  art  of  dissimulation,  which 
make  him,  if  possible,  more  dangerous  yet.  In  the  eyes  of  the 
world  he  stands  fairer  than  any  of  his  neighbors.  Besides  holding 
one  of  the  highest  positions  of  his  State,  he  is  known  to  be  a  favor 
ite  of  the  Emperor,  to  whom  he  rendered  important  diplomatic  ser 
vices  in  the  late  war.  Indeed,  it  is  currently  reported,  and  probab 
ly  true,  that  he  will  soon  be  called  to  till  one  of  the  most  important 
places  of  the  empire.  If  ever  he  should  cross  your  path,  beware  of 
cunning,  especially  when  he  approaches  you  with  protestations  of 
friendship  and  devotion.  The  safest  course  would  be  to  crush  him 
under  foot  like  a  venemous  serpent,  which,  in  truth,  he  i-esembles 
more  than  any  other  creature." 

There  was  more  writing  in  the  letter,  but  Herbert  folded  it,  laid 
it  away  and  abandoned  himself  to  long  and  deep  reflections.  At 
last  he  looked  up  and  said  resolutely  :  "It  must  be.  I  hate  to 
poison  her  young  mind  with  an  insight  into  the  character  of  this 
modern  Machiavelly,  but  the  laws  of  self-preservation  demand  it. 
Inez  is  the  only  treasure  I  have  saved  out  of  this  family  tragedy, 
and  I  cannot  allow  this  Philip  to  infatuate  her  trustful  soul  with 
his  artful  wiles." 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  67 

He  was  on  the  point  of  rising,  when  his  daughter  peeped  through 
the  half-open  door  and  said  :  "  Am  I  intruding  papa?  " 

"No  child,  I  was  just  on  the  point  of  looking  for  you.  Sit 
down.  I  wish  to  speak  to  you." 

She  took  a  chair  beside  him,  and  then  said  expectantly  : 

. "  Well,  papa,  what  is  it?  " 

"  Did  I  ever  speak  to  you  about  a  certain  Philip  Grau  ? " 

"  You  mean  cousin  Philip  ?  Yes,  papa,  you  mentioned  his  name 
more  than  once." 

"  Well,  this  very  Philip  is  now  at  the  outer  falls  asking  for 
admittance. 

"Is  it  possible  ?  "  she  interjected. 

"  Inez,"  he  continued  gravely  and  impressively  ;  "  I  have  good 
reasons  to  believe  this  man  to  be  bad  and  treacherous  ;  yea,  unprinci 
pled  to  an  extraordinary  degree.  Much  as  I  dislike  to  mention 
this  to  you,  I  deem  it  my  imperative  duty  to  give  you  a  clue  to  his 
true  character,  and  thus  enable  you  to  defend  yourself  successfully 
against  his  arts." 

"  But,  father,  if  this  man  is  so  wicked,  why  not  refuse  him 
admittance." 

"  I  have  thought  it  well  over,  Inez.  At  first  I  felt  very  much 
inclined  to  pursue  the  course  you  now  suggest ;  but  on  second 
thought  I  rejected  the  expedient  as  cowardly  and  unworthy  of  the 
great  ideas  I  am  working  out.  If  they  have  vitality,  they  can  and 
will  surely  outlive  and  withstand  the  machinations  of  a  single  man, 
let  him  be  ever  PO  bad  and  artful.  The  moment  is  near  at  hand 
when  the  barriers  which  separate  us  from  the  world  will  fall,  and  it 
is  proper  that  our  people,  as  well  as  our  institutions,  should  come 
in  contact  with  and  learn  to  battle  against  foes  more  dangerous  and 
formidable  than  this  man  can  ever  be.  I  have  no  doubt  that  Philip 
Grau  will  try  to  undermine  me,  and  to  get  possession  of  the  riches 
he  probably  imagines  me  to  possess,  but  these  attempts  I  fear  not, 
for  I  know  him  and  think  I  can  parry  all  his  thrusts.  There  is 
only  one  point  where  I  am  vulnerable,  Inez,  and  that  is  you.  This 
man  is  polished,  child,  and  few  women  have  been  able  to  resist  his 
charms.  If  I  thought  he  could  endanger  the  tranquility  of  your 
heart  I  would  drive  him  from  my  threshold  like  a  mangy  cur." 


68  The  Treasure  of  Monteztcnia. 

Herbert  had  evidently  become  excited  ;  so  Inez  laid  her  hand 
soothingly  upon  his  arm  and  said  : 

"  Fear  not,  father,  I  shall  be  on  my  guard  ;  but  if  this  man  is 
as  bad  as  you  think  or  know  ;  if  his  visit  puts  your  life  in  peril,  I, 
on  my  part,  protest  against  his  admittance." 

"Nay,  child,  I  have  nothing  to  fear.  What  can  he  do  against 
me,  surrounded  by  legions  of  faithful  friends,  as  I  am  ?  Let  him 
discharge  his  arrows,  they  will  fall  harmless  at  my  feet,  or  per 
chance,  pierce  the  heart  of  him  who  sent  them.  I  only  fear  for 
you,  my  daughter,  and  if  you  wish  it,  I  shall  close  the  door  against 
this  man." 

"  Not  for  my  sake,  father.  I  would  be  unworthy  to  be  called 
your  daughter  if  I  shirked  a  danger  you  can  brave.  Admit  this 
Philip  Grau,  and  you  will  see  that  I,  too,  need  not  fear  the  ex 
posure  to  trials  and  temptations." 

She  looked  so  grand  in  the  consciousness  of  her  strength  and 
fortitude  that  he  could  not  help  drawing  her  into  his  embrace  and 
imprinting  a  kiss  upon  her  brow. 

"  Very  well,  then,  Inez,"  he  said  ;  "I  shall  do  as  you  say,  and 
trust  the  moment  will  never  come  which  will  cause  me  to  regret  this 
step." 

With  these  words  he  walked  to  the  instrument  and  wired  the 
message  granting  the  admittance  of  the  applicant." 

What  will  come  of  it?  Will  he  indeed,  rue  this  step?  Only 
the  future  can  tell,  and  to  it  we  therefore  refer  the  reader,  if 
he  is  not  too  impatient  to  await  the  unrolling  of  events  as  they 
follow  each  other  in  natural  succession. 


We  must  now  beg  the  reader  to  go  back  with  us  to  the  night 
of  the  robbery,  and  the  little  inn  where  it  was  perpetrated.  The 
traveler  slept  long  and  deeply,  and  when,  at  length,  he  awoke,  he 
did  not  seem  to  know  where  he  was.  After  rubbing  his  eyes 
awhile  in  evident  bewilderment,  and  staring  around  in  ludircous 
confusion,  a  ray  of  comprehension  suddenly  broke  from  his  eyes ; 
he  raised  himself  partly  on  his  elbow  and  said  : 

"Ah,  now  I  know  where  I  am.     This  is  the  grand  hotel  of 
the  Santa  Mad  re,  in  the  still  greater  State  of  Mexico.     Verily,  I 


The  Treasure  of  Montesuma.  69 

do  not  see  what  attractions  it  possessed  in  the  eyes  of  Cortez,  whom 
I  always  considered  a  pretty  smart  chap,  unless  it  was  gold,  the 
same  magnet  which  drew  me  into  this  nasty  land  of  the  greasers.  I 
suppose,  he  got  his  share,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  my  martyrdom 
will  be  rewarded  iii  a  like  substantial  manner.  "But  where  are  my 
clothes?  "  he  contined,  assuming  a  sitting  posture  ;  "I  am  sure  I 
put  them  on  this  chair,  and  now — ah,  here  they  lie  on  the  floor.  I 
must  have  been  very  tired  to  tumble  them  about  in  this  fashion.  I 
wonder  how  late  it  is  ;  why,  even  the  watch  must  have  tumbled 
out,  and  yet  I  see  no  trace  of  it.  My  papers  too,  are  missing,  and, 
what  is  stranger  still,  my  saddle-bag.  Can  it  be  that  I  have  been 
robbed?  By  jupiter,  that  would  be  a  pretty  kettle  of  fish  ;  curse 
it.  Probably  my  worthy  host  is  at  the  bottom  of  this ;  but  wait, 
my  fine  fellow,  you  shall  pay  for  this  rascality  or  my  name  is  not 
Philip  Grau." 

The  man  was  by  this  time  fully  aroused.  He  dressed  with 
feverish  haste,  and  stepping  out,  began  to  thunder  against  the  land 
lord's  door,  who  was  still  slumbering  sweetly,  unconscious  of 
the  storm  ready  to  burst  over  his  devoted  head.  The  knocks,  how 
ever,  soon  awakened  him,  and  he  made  his  appearance  in  a  costume 
which  might  be  called  primitive  without  the  imputation  of  exagera- 
tion.  The  traveler  overwhelmed  him  with  a  perfect  avalanche  of 
invectives  and  reproaches ;  but,  as  they  were  uttered  in  German 
and  the  host  understood  nothing  but  a  wretched  Spanish  patois,  he 
failed  for  a  long  while  to  comprehend  the  rage  of  his  guest.  It 
was  indeed,  more  by  signs  than  words  that  the  truth  finally  dawned 
on  him.  The  disappearance  of  the  traveler's  baggage  and  the  dis 
covery  of  the  abscence  of  the  mule  forced  upon  him  the  conviction 
that  his  guest  had  been  robbed  under  his  roof.  Then  he  was  not 
slow  in  overwhelming  the  stranger  on  his  part  with  a  flood  of  ex 
cuses  and  consolations,  which  the  latter  failed  to  understand  and 
which  would  probably  have  missed  their  purpose  if  he  had  under 
stood  them. 

After  wasting  some  ten  minutes  in  these  idle  expostulations,  it 
struck  mine  host  that  the  time  might  perhaps  be  more  profitably 
employed  in  efforts  to  catch  the  thief,  and  thus  recover  the 
plunder.  He  spoke  eagerly  with  his  oldest  son,  a  lad  of  about 
thirteen  or  fourteen,  who  nodded  in  reply,  and  then  set  off  with 


70  The  Treasure  of  Montezunia. 

,the  rapidity  of  a  grey  hound.  After  that  the.  landlord  endeavored 
to  explain  to  the  stranger  the  measures  he  had  taken  in  his  interest, 
but  the  latter  understood  merely  the  word  "  alcade,"  which  he 
knew  to  mean  magistrate.  From  this  he  concluded  that  the  boy 
had  been  sent  to  inform  the  nearest  bailiff  or  constable,  and  that 
he  could  do  nothing  better  than  await  further  developments  with 
such  patience  as  he  could  muster.  This  was  not  an  easy  task,  for 
not  only  seemed  endless  the  time  which  elapsed  before  the  arrival 
of  the  dignitary,  but  he  had  read  too  much  of  the  tardy  and  clumsy 
manner  of  administering  justice  in  that  country  to  expect  much 
from  him  after  his  arrival. 

Nor  was  he  mistaken.  When  the  alcade  appeared  on  the  ground, 
he  proceeded  to  take  testimony  which  lead  to  but  meager  results, 
since  the  principal  witness  was  incapable  of  answering  one  single 
question.  The  traveler  could  not  discover  any  effort  on  the  part  of 
the  fellow  to  pursue  the  thief  or  thieves  ;  all  he  did  was  to  talk, 
and  of  this  he  put  in  such  a  super  abundance  that  the  stranger  gave 
up  all  hopes  of  recovering  his  property,  and  confined  his  efforts  to 
an  attempt  to  get  out  of  the  dilemma  into  which  this  robbery  had 
thrown  him.  There  he  was  in  a  strange  country,  whose  language 
he  did  not  understand,  without  money,  papers  or  means  of  continu 
ing  his  journey.  He  asked  the  alcade  as  well  as  he  could,  if  there 
was  not  an  American  or  Englishman  in-  the  neighborhood.  It  took 
the  thick-headed  fellow  half  an  hour  to  understand,  and  when  this 
at  last  was  the  case,  he  only  answered  in  the  negative.  The 
traveler  reflected  a  moment  and  then  requested  the  alcade  to  lead 
him  to  the  nearest  priest.  On  hearing  the  word  padre,  the  fellow 
nodded  eagerly  and  bade  the  son  of  the  inn-keeper  conduct  the 
Sennor  to  that  holy  man.  The  distance  was  fortunately  not 
much  over  a  mile.  The  padre  was  up,  and  just  on  the  point  of 
eating  his  frugal  breakfast,  when  the  pair  arrived.  He  politely 
invited  the  Sennor  to  share  his  meal  when  the  little  guide  had  com 
municated  to  him  the  events  of  the  night.  The  stranger  gladly 
accepted,  for  he  had  not  broken  fast  that  morning.  After  the  meal 
was  over,  the  two  men  tried  for  a  long  time  to  understand  each 
other,  but  failed,  until  the  stranger,  in  shear  despair,  tried  latin. 
At  this  the  face  of  the  priest  lit  up  ;  he  responded  in  the  same 
language,  and  before  many  more  minutes  knew  the  stranger's 
story  and  wishes. 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  71 

"  It  is  fortunate  for  thee,  mi  amice,"  he  said  with  a  compla 
cent  smile,  "that  thou  didst  meet  me,  and  not  one  of  my  confra- 
tres,  for  mighty  little  latin  do  most  of  them  know,  excepting  per 
haps  the  text  of  the  mass.  So  thou  hast  friends  in  the  Capital,  who 
can  help  thee,  thou  sayest?" 

"Even  so,  pater,  and  rich  and  powerful  friends  they  are  too, 
who  will  amply  reward  him  who  sends  me  to  them." 

"It  will  be  a  long  and  tedious  journey,  mi  fili.  I  wish  I  had 
the  means  to  assist  thee,  but  small  indeed  is  my  share  of  the  treas 
ures  of  this  world." 

' '  You  don't  mean  to  intimate  that  you  will  abandon  me  to  my 
fate?"  The  stranger  asked,  greatly  alarmed. 

"Nay,  thou  art  too  hasty  in  thy  conclusions.  I  only  meant  to 
say  that  I  am  sorry  I  am  not  able  to  furnish  thee  with  abundant 
means  to  travel  comfortably  and  speedily.  I  have  been  thinking 
the  matter  over  and  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  best  plan 
will  be  to  give  thee  a  letter  of  introduction  to  the  priest  of  the  next 
parish,  who  will  entertain  thee  and  send  thee  to  his  neighbor,  until 
thou  reachest  places  where  the  telegraph  will  enable  thee  to  com 
municate  with  thy  friends  and  invoke  their  assistance." 

The  stranger  accepted  these  propositions  with  thanks,  where 
upon  the  good  priest  at  once  wrote  and  handed  him  the  letter. 

"Be  without  fear,  mi  fili,"  he  said  "thou  wilt  not  find  the 
patres  all  scholars,  but  thou  wilt  find  them  all  possessed  of  humane 
hearts  and  if  thou  wilt  only  compose  thyself  in  patience,  thou  wilt 
surely,  if  slowly,  reach  the  Capital." 

The  stranger  thanked  him  warmly  and  departed.  We  have 
neither  time  nor  inclination  to  accompany  him  on  his  slow,  long 
and  tedious  journey  to  the  Capital,  which  he  reached  just  thre» 
weeks  after  the  night  of  the  robbery.  The  fatigue  of  the  journey 
cast  him  on  the  sick  bed,  which  chained  him  a  full  week,  while  it 
took  him  another  to  regain  his  former  strength  and  buoyancy.  It 
was  therefore  exactly  five  weeks  after  his  introduction  to  the  reader 
that  we  see  him  start  once  more  for  the  same  goal.  This  time  he 
took  the  shortest  route  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  where  he  boarded  a 
coasting  vessel  which  conveyed  him  safely  to  the  Rio  Frio.  He  pur 
sued  the  same  course  which  we  saw  the  bandit  take,  and  finally  turn 
the  lever  in  accordance  with  the  directions  of  the  letter.  As  in  the 


72  The  Treasure  of  Montezunw. 

former  instance,  the  cataract  ceased  to  flow  and  the  moutain  opened; 
but  when  he  demanded  admittance,  he  received  the  reply  that 
they  had  no  instructions  to  admit  any  strangers,  and  that  he  would 
have  to  tarry  outside  until  they  could  ask  for  instructions.  He 
had  found  it  difficult  to  make  the  redskins  understand,  and  would 
probably  have  failed  altogether,  if  one  young  indian  had  not  spo 
ken  and  understood  a  little  German.  "Tell  Mr.  Grau  that  his 
nephew  Philip  Grau,  wants  to  see  him,"  he  told  him,  when  sudden 
ly  the  rocks  closed  and  the  waters  once  more  began  to  fall  leaving 
him  in  no  enviable  state  of  mind.  What  if  this  relative  refused 
him  admittance?  In  his  innermost  heart  he  could  not  conceal  from 
himself  the  fact  that  such  a  course  would  only  be  in  accordance 
with  the  dictates  of  prudence,  and  felt  convinced  that  his  relative 
would  surely  act  in  obedience  to  them,  if  he  knew  the  motives  of 
the  visitor.  We  know  better ;  we  have  witnessed  the  conversation 
between  father  and  daughter  which  decided  the  question  of  his  ad 
mittance,  and  understand  the  reasons  inducing  Herbert  to  tolerate 
his  crafty  kinsman  in  spite  of  the  evil  that  might  possibly  spring 
from  his  presence.  Of  these  reasons,  however,  Philip  Grau  had  no 
knowledge,  and  we  need  therefore  not  wonder  at  the  suspense  and 
anxiety  with  which  he  awaited  the  decisive  answer. 

It  came  sooner  than  he  had  dared  to  hope;  for  thirty  minutes 
had  hardly  elapsed  since  the  closing  of  the  rocks,  when  they  once 
more  opened  and  the  indian  beckoned  him  to  approach.  Philip 
ascended  the  rocks,  but,  while  doing  so,  he  cast  his  ghinces  on  his 
surroundings  with  a  keenness  apt  to  take  in  the  most  minute  details 
He  noticed  that  the  swinging  rocks  were  in  reality  massive  gates, 
with  an  irregular  outer  surface  on  which  moss-covered  rocks  were 
painted  with  great  fidelity.  They  hung  on  hinges  which,  in  turn, 
had  been  soldered  into  the  solid  rock.  The  cavity  seemed  natural, 
although  the  visitor's  sharp  eyes  could  here  and  there  discover 
traces  of  the  chisel  which  had  probably  been  used  to  improve  the 
work  of  nature.  The  process  of  blindfolding,  which  now  followed, 
did  not  suit  Philip  at  all,  because  it  hindered  him  from  such  obser 
vations  as  he  was  anxious  to  make.  He  submitted,  however,  with 
apparent  good  humor,  trusting  to  his  ears  for  any  discoveries  possi 
ble  under  the  circumstances.  Like  Arthur,  he  judged  from  the 
loud  echo  of  their  steps  that  they  were  traversing  a  subterranean 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  73 

passage,  but,  unlike  him,  he  endeavored  to  form  an  accurate  idea 
of  its  length  by  counting  his  steps  while  the  echo  lasted.  In  this 
way  he  was  led  to  think  that  the  underground  passage  was  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  long.  When  the  bandage  was  taken  from  his 
eyes,  he  once  more  began  to  gaze  around  with  the  keenest  attention. 
We  need  not  describe  a  second  time  the  wonderful  beauty  of  the 
scenery ;  but  we  must  state  that  the  high  degree  of  development 
struck  Philip  much  more  forcibly  than  his  brother,  because  his  was 
a  thinking  mind,  and  he  was  able  to  appreciate  the  mental  force 
necessary  to  create  such  an  Eden  out  of  a  wilderness.  At  the 
same  time,  however,  he  thought  of  the  monetary  resources  neces 
sary  to  accomplish  such  marvels,  and  then  it  was  that  his  eyes 
assumed  a  weird  lustre  and  betrayed  a  greed  terrible  in  its  intensity. 

When  he  learned  that  he  could  not  reach  the  residence  of  his 
relatives  before  nine  o'clock,  he  resolved  to  remain  in  Lakevtew 
over  night.  The  reader  must  not  imagine  that  he  was  led  to  this 
resolution  by  any  consideration  for  his  uncle,  but  because  the  dark 
ness  of  the  night  would  prevent  him  from  making  observations. 
He  also  felt  that  he  required  a  little  more  time  to  prepare  for  meet 
ing  a  man  of  whose  character  he  had  no  knowledge,  excepting  the 
clue  which  the  letter  had  given  him.  He  had  just  entered  upon  his 
kinsman's  dominion  but  he  had  already  seen  enough  to  convince 
him  that,  if  he  was  a  rich  man,  he  was  undoubtedly  also  an  ex 
traordinary  one,  who  could  not  be  trifled  with  and  who  would 
surely  demand  a  plausible  explanation  of  this  unsolicited  visit. 
Philip  thought  until  his  head  ached  but  finally  came  to  the  conclu 
sion  that  a  preconcerted  plan  was,  after  all,  impracticable  and  that 
he  must  allow  himself  to  be  governed  by  circumstances.  He  had  a 
dim  conviction  that  his  relative  would  see  through  any  pretense  of 
affectation,  and  that  an  open  avowal  of  self-interest  would  be  per 
haps  the  safest  plan  he  could  pursue. 

On  the  following  morning,  after  dispatching  a  hasty  breakfast, 
he  boarded  the  train  and  started  for  Montezuma,  where  Father 
Herbert,  as  everybody  called  him,  lived.  Philip  was  prepared  for 
strange  things,  but  what  he  saw  surpassed  his  boldest  expectations 
so  far  that  he  became  the  prey  of  a  bewilderment  bordering  on 
stupification.  His  mind  was,  as  it  were,  in  a  turmoil  of  confusion, 
through  which  only  one  distinct  thought  was  capable  of  taking 


74  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

a  compact  form  :  that  of  the  colossal  fortune  which  lay  at  the  bot 
tom  of  this  creation.  It  was  nine  o'clock  when  the  train  reached 
Montezuma.  On  inquiring  for  the  residence  of  Mr.  Herbert  Grau, 
the  people  looked  in  wonderment  at  the  betrayal  of  such  ignorance 
and  then  informed  him  that  he  lived  on  Laura  Street.  The  street 
cars,  they  added,  would  take  him  to  the  house.  These  cars, 
accordingly,  he  boarded  and  ten  minutes  later  stood  on  the  porch 
of  Herbert's  villa. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

FENCING. 

"Show  the  Sennov  in,  Clara,"  Herbert  said  as  the  girl  handed 
him  a  card,  and  a  minute  later  Philip  Grau  was  ushered  into  the 
office.  The  two  men  cast  a  searching  glance  at  each  other,  and  we 
may  as  well  pause  a  moment  and  chronicle  what  Herbert  saw.  Philip 
Grau  resembled  his  brother  in  height  and  form,  although  he  was  far 
from  possessing  the  latter's  outlines.  His  forehead  was  high  but 
narrow,  his  eyes  were  of  the  color  and  coldness  of  steel,  his  lips 
were  thin  but  displayed  fine  theeth  when  he  smiled,  which  was 
pretty  generally  the  case,  his  smile,  however,  was  not  insipid,  as 
such  stereotyped  smiles  are  apt  to  be,  but  rather  sardonic,  although 
nothing  was  probably  more  remote  from  the  man  than  the  inten 
tion  of  giving  it  that  expression.  He  wore  burnsides  but  the  rest 
of  the  face  was  shaven  with  a  scrupulous  care,  which  even  the 
rough  nature  of  his  journey  had  been  unable  to  efface.  He  was  clad 
in  a  fashionable  traveling  suit  and,  taking  it  all  in  all,  Philip  Grau 
was  a  fine  looking  man,  who  had  found  much  favor  with  the  fe 
male  sex.  He  had  evidently  the  manners,  of  a  polished  gentleman, 
and  the  open,  manly  bearing  with  Avhich  he  now  approached  Her 
bert  had  something  winning. 

"  Mr.  Grau,  I  presume,"  he  said  with  a  bow.  "But  nay,  I  am 
sure  of  it,  for  the  likeness  between  you  and  my  grand-uncle's  pic 
ture  at  home  is  too  striking  to  permit  any  doubt.  May  I,  then, 


The  Tiraxitre  of  Monteztoiui.  75 

claim  the  privileges  of  consanguinity,  and  ask  for  a  short  term  of 
hospitality  under  your  roof  ?  " 

"It  would  not  have  required.the  advancement  of  such  claims 
to  secure  such  a  favor,"  Herbert  replied  coldly  though  politely, 
motioning  him  to  a  chair.  ' '  May  I  ask  what  brought  you  to  this 
remote  quarter  of  the  world  ?  ' ' 

"My  king  entrusted  to  me  a  message  to  the  Mexican  Govern 
ment.  I  had  been  working  hard  and  needed  recreation  ;  so  when  I 
asked  for  this  mission,  I  received  at  once  his  gracious  consent.  I 
need  not  hide  from  you  the  fact  that  the  desire  of  making  the 
acquaintance  of  the  mysterious  Mexican  uncle  was  the  chief  motive 
in  making  this  request.  I  had  heard  so  much  of  your  marvelous 
doings,  of  your  fabulous — 

"  Wealth,"  Herbert  suggested  coolly. 

"  Yes,  wealth,  uncle,"  the  other  said  laughing  frankly  ;  "thank 
you  for  prompting  me.  It  is  natural  that  your  fabulous  riches 
should  lend  you  a  charm  in  the  eyes  of  a  needy  nephew  which 
might  have  been  wanting  under  other  circumstances.  You  see, 
I  am  candid,  and  do  not  wish  to  sail  under  a  false  flag.  I  have 
already  seen  enough  this  morning  to  admire  you.  To  assure  you 
that  I  love  you  would  expose  me  to  your  just  suspicions  and,  what 
is  worse,  contempt,  All  I  ask,  is  to  give  me  a  chance  of  adding 
affection  to  respect,  and  if  I  or  my  abilities,  small  though  they  are, 
can  be  of  any  use  to  you  during  my  sojourn  here,  I  trust  you  will 
.not  hesitate  to  command  me." 

"Your  remarks  are  sensible  and  quite  relieve  me.  Perhaps 
you  are  aware  that  my  relations  to  your  father  were  not  the  most 
cordial,  and  I  am  glad  that  you  ask  for  no  considerations  on  that 
score.  You'll  have  to  stand  on  your  own  merit,  and,  if  you  show 
yourself  worthy  of  my  regard,  you  may  be  sure  that  it  will  not  be 
withheld." 

"  Thank  you,  uncle;  though  I  am  sure  that  my  father  had  no  ill 
feeling  against  you  whatever.  He  always — 

"Let  that  rest,  Philip,"  Herbert  interrupted  him  calmly,  but 
decisively  ;  "  I,  for  my  part,  have  no  feelings  whatever  on  that 
subject.  Tell  me  rather  something  about  Anton  Stamm's  last 
hours,  Arthur's  account  of  his  death  was  so  meager  and  unsatis 
factory  that  I  would  like  to  get  some  more  particulars." 


76  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"You  had  a  letter  from  cousin  Arthur?"  asked  Philip  in  sur 
prise. 

"No  letter;  but  am  I  to  understand  from  your  remarks  that 
you  are  ignorant  of  your  cousin's  whereabouts?" 

"I  surely  am,  unless  he  is  where  I  left  him  three  months  ago, 
at  home." 

Instead  of  answering,  Herbert  rang  the  bell.  "Clara,"  he  said 
to  the  entering  girl,  "beg  Arthur  to  favor  me  with  his  presence  in 
the  office." 

After  this  he  remained  silent,  a  behavior  for  which  Philip  men 
tally  gave  him  fervent  thanks.  The  astounding  information  he 
had  just  now  received  was  certainly  sufficient  to  upset  the  balance 
of  mind  of  the  most  self-possessed  person  in  the  world.  If  Her 
bert  had  spoken  to  him  he  would  have  to  remain  mute  or  answered 
like  an  idiot.  Arthur  here!  All  his  scheming  for  nothing.  He 
was  even  too  dumbfounded  to  feel  angry  at  the  frustration  of  his 
cherished  hopes  and  plans.  Arthur  here,  and  with  him  undoubt 
edly  the  news  of  the  stolen  letter.  Of  course  the  theft  could  not 
well  be  traced  to  him,  but  he  surely  would  be  caught  in  a  web  of 
lies.  For  once  this  cunning  and  ready  man  was  nonplussed.  He 
sat  there  as  in  a  maze,  incapable  of  forming  a  plan  ;  incapable  even 
of  thinking,  except  the  one  terrible  thought  of  an  ignominious  ex 
posure  staring  him  in  the  face.  The  idea  that  the  robber  could 
possibly  have  benefited  by  the  stolen  letter  and  attempted  to  play 
the  role  of  the  expected  ward,  of  course  never  entered  his  mind, 
and  he  was  therefore  fully  justified  in  deeming  a  disgraceful  expos 
ure  unavoidable,  and  close  at  hand.  If  ever  anybody  was  subject 
ed  to  mental  torture,  Philip  was.  The  few  minutes  elapsing  be 
fore  the  appearance  of  the  person  expected  seemed  to  him  like 
ages.  At  last  the  door  opened  and  the  stately  figure  of  the  bandit 
came  into  view.  For  a  moment  the  wonderful  likeness  between 
him  and  the  party  he  represented  deceived  even  the  keen  sighted 
Philip,  and,  with  a  suppressed  groan  he  arose,  with  the  inten 
tion  of  shortening  the  expected  humiliation  by  a  confession,  when 
the  voice  of  the  person  entering  caused  him  to  stop  and  listen. 

"Good  morning,  Uncle,"  he  heard  him  say;  "Here  I  am. 
What  can  I  do  for  you? " 

That  was  not  his  cousin's  voice,  with  whom  he  had  been  long 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuiiia.  77 

and  intimately  acquainted.  But,  if  he  was  not  his  cousin  whence 
this  wonderful  resemblance?  Suddenly  the  truth  flashed  upon 
him.  This  fellow  could  be  nobody  but  his  wayward  brother,  who 
had  run  away  from  home  to  avoid  the  discipline  of  a  stern  father. 
Of  course,  Philip  did  not  guess  the  whole  truth,  but  he  had  dis 
covered  enough  to  obtain  the  material  for  an  escape  from  this  fear 
ful  dilemma.  If  this  man  was  his  brother,  he  was  an  impostor  who 
would  hardly  dare  to  expose  Philip's  duplicity.  On  the  contrary 
he  would  be  apt  to  play  into  Philip's  hand.  He  recovered  his  self- 
possession  with  a  rapidity  which  we  must  needs  admire,  in  spite  of 
the  badness  of  the  cause  for  which  it  was  exercised.  Without 
waiting  for  any  explanation  or  introduction  on  the  part  of  Herbert, 
he  sprang  to  his  feet  and  rushing  to  where  Arthur  stood,  drew  that 
young  man  into  his  embrace  with  an  impetuosity  truly  startling. 

"Cousin  Arthur!"  he  cried  in  a  voice  so  joyful  that  a  casual 
observer  might  really  have  thought  he  had  found  his  dearest  friend. 
"Is  it  possible?  Little  did  I  dream  of  this  unexpected  pleasure. 
I  thought  you  had  intended  to  remain  at  home  another  year.  But 
what  is  the  matter  old  fellow?  You  look  actually  as  it'  Philip 
Grau's  face  had  escaped  your  memory." 

Arthur  at  length  succeeded  in  recovering  from  his  surprise, 
which,  as  the  reader  may  well  imagine,  was  hardly  less  than  his 
brother's.  His  first  feeling  had  been  that  of  infinite  disgust,  for 
he  had  never  born  his  brother  much  affection.  Philip  had  played 
towards  him  the  role  of  an  exacting  mentor,  and  really  been  one  of 
the  causes  which  had  led  him  to  form  the  desperate  plan  of  run 
ning  away  from  home.  He  could  not  help  showing  this  feeling  on 
his  face  but  the  wondering  questions  of  his  would-be  cousin  re 
minded  him  of  the  danger  of  betraying  his  feelings  to  the  obser 
vant  eyes  of  Herbert,  and,  entering  upon  the  others  views,  he  re 
plied  with  feigned  delight : 

"Is  it  a  wonder,  cousin  Philip,  when  you  surprise  a  fellow  in 
this  manner,  and  almost  squeeze  him  to  death?  I  am  awful  glad 
to  see  you,  but  at  a  loss  to  'comprehend  how  you  succeeded  in 
forcing  the  bai-riers  of  this  Eldorado. ' ' 

'    "So  you  have  forgotten  our  spree,"  Philip  replied  laughingly 
"when  you  insisted  upon  my  reading  a  certain  letter  which  a  cer- 


The  Treasure  of  flfontezuma. 

tain  Mexican  uncle  sent  you?  Well,  the  fact  is,  you  were  pretty 
far  gone  then  and  I  had  to  coach  you  home." 

An  expression  of  pain  passed  over  Herbert's  face,  but  the  ex 
planation  was  perfectly  in  keeping  with  the  present  conduct  of  his 
nephew,  and  therefore  found  a  ready  credence  with  him.  He  arose 
and  said  : 

"Arthur,  take  Philip  to  the  room  opposite  yours,  and  supply 
him  with  all  things  necessary  for  refreshing  himself  after  his  jour 
ney.  I  shall  meanwhile  inform  my  daughter  Inez  of  your  arrival, 
and  give  orders  to  lay  another  plate  for  dinner."  Arthur  obeyed, 
and  led  the  other  from  the  office.  In  silence  they  traversed  the 
hall.  In  silence  they  ascended  the  stairs,  and  only  when  the  door 
of  the  apartment,  intended  for  the  new  guest,  had  closed  upon  them 
was  this  silence  broken.  Strange  to  say,  it  was  Arthur  who  broke 
it  first.  Turning  sharply  on  his  brother  he  inquired,  with  ill-dis 
guised  vexation  : 

"AVhat  the  devil  deos  this  mean?  What  brings  you  to  this  for 
lorn  place?" 

"I  might  return  that  inquiry,  but  prefer  to  vary  it  a  little. 
How  did  you  get  here?  It  is  a  mystery  to  me." 

Arthur  laughed  contemptuously. 

"I  think,  if  we  compare  notes,  we  will  discover  a  striking  simi 
larity  between  our  cases,  I  stole  my  credentials  011  the  highway, 
and  you  by  proxy." 

Philip  winced  slightly  under  these  words  and  the  look  accom 
panying  them,  and  said  coldly  : 

"I  do  not  understand  you." 

"Oh,  yes,  you  do  ;  or  rather  you  will  when  I  mention  the  name 
of  Bertha." 

The  other  started  and  a  palor  overspread  his  face. 

"What  do  you  know  about  Bertha?"  he  hissed  between  his 
teeth.  "  Ah,  I  comprehend  now.  You  are  the  rascal  who  robbed 
me.  A  delightful  discovery ;  my  brother  a  highway  robber  on  the 
Mexican  roads." 

An  angry  flush  overspread  Arthur's  face.  "See  here,"  he  said, 
scowling  savagely  at  his  brother ;  "be  careful  in  your  words :  I  am 
past  the  age  when  I  had  to  endure  your  sermons.  Nor  can  I  see  the 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  79 

difference  between  stealing:  on  the  highway  and  in  one's  uncle's, 
house." 

"  There  again.  You  stole  ray  papers  and  if  you  know  what  is 
good  for  you,  you  will  return  them  at  once." 

The  other  crossed  his  arms  and  said  contemptuously  : 

"  That  is  right,  threaten  ;  I  know  of  no  other  way  that  would 
accomplish  your  purpose  more  quickly." 

Philip  felt  like  resenting  his  brother's  insolence,  but  knew,  also, 
that  he  was  powerless  to  cary  out  any  threats  he  might  utter,  and 
therefore  merely  bit  his  lips  and  said  more  civilly  : 

' '  Well,  these  papers  are  no  earthly  use  to  you' ;  so  you  may  as 
well  return  them  to  me." 

"  Ah,  you  sing  in  a  different  key  now,  and  if  I  still  had  the 
papers  I  would  as  lief  return  them  as  not." 

"  Had  them  ! "  Philp  exclaimed  in  an  alarmed  tone  ;  "  I  trust 
you  were  not  silly  enough  to  give  them  to  anybody  here  ?  " 

"  You  only  do  me  justice  by  giving  me  that  much  credit  for 
sagacity." 

"  What  the  duce  did  you  do  with  them,  then?  " 

"  I  destroyed  them,  of  course.  They  were  of  no  value  to  me, 
and  you  surely  do  not  think  me  silly  enough  to  keep  papers  apt  to 
convict  me  in  case  of  capture  ?  True,  these  Mexican  detectives 
are  not  very  formidable,  but  a  wise  man  never  challenges  fate." 

Philip  had  to  content  himself  with  this  explanation,  which,  as 
we  know,  was  only  partly  true. 

"  Now  tell  me  the  lay  of  the  land,"  he  said  ;  "I  am  a  total 
stranger,  you  see,  and  would  like  to  learn  the  reefs  and  sandbanks, 
to  avoid  being  wrecked.  First  as  to  uncle  Herbert ;  what  sort  of  a 
man  is  he  ? " 

"  A  fool,  though  on  a  grand  scale,  I  must  confess." 

"  Raves  about  equal  rights  and  that  sort  of  thing,  eh  ?  " 

"  Exactly.  He  could  live  like  a  prince  in  London  or  Paris,  in 
stead  of  which  he  hurries  himself  in  this  wilderness,  and  allows 
himself  to  be  called  daddy  by  ever  fool." 

"But  how  is  it  about  this  grand  possession,  does  he  really  own 
the  valley  ?  " 

' '  I  haven't  troubled  myself  much  about  these  matters,  but  I 


80  The  Treasure  of  Montesuma. 

think  he  owns  it  all,  having  purchased  the  valley  from  the  Gov 
ernment  for  five  millions  of  dollars." 

"  Whew  !  "  was  Philip's  only  reply. 

"  He  won't  have  it  much  longer,  though,"  Arthur  continued  ; 
for  in  less  than  a  year  they  will  celebrate  the  twenty-fifth  anniver 
sary  of  the  founding  of  this  colony,  and  on  that  occasion  he,  uncle 
Herbert,  intends  to  deed  everything  to  the  people,  and  deliver  the 
entire  management  into  their  hands." 

Philip  gave  a  startled  look,  and  said  excitedly  :  "The  lunatic  ! 
If  I  had  him  in  Germany  I  would  have  him  declared  noncompos- 
mentis ;  but  even  here  there  must  be  means  of  preventing  such 
madness.  It  seems  my  coming  here  was  truly  providential.  But  to 
proceed  ;  does  his  wife  coincide  with  him  in  these  points?" 

"  Uncle  Herbert  is  a  widower." 

"So  much  the  worse,  for  in  a  prudent  wife  we  would  have 
found  an  ally.  But  he  spoke  of  a  daughter.  What  sort  of  a 
creature  is  she?"  As  Authur  remained  silent,  he  continued  : 

"  Oh,  you  need  not  fear  to  tell  the  truth,  for  your  communica 
tions  are  safe  with  me.  Come  now  ;  she  is  as  ugly  as  a  mud  fence, 
is  she  not?  "  Arthur  merely  shook  his  head. 

"What!  Handsome?  So  much  the  better  ;  a  little  flirtation 
Avill  help  to  pass  the  time  at  this  dull  place.  I  must  polish  up  my 
rusty  gallantry  for  the  benefit  of  this  belle  of  the  backwoods." 

At  these  words  a  sudden  and  terrible  change  came  over  the 
bandit. 

"  No  you  won't,"  he  hissed,  bending  over  the  other  and  holding 
his  clenched  fist  threatingly  before  his  face.  "  If  you  know  what 
is  good  for  you,  you  will  certainly  undertake  no  such  thing,  for  it 
would  surely  bring  about  a  conflict  from  which  only  one  of  us 
would  come  forth  alive. 

For  a  moment  Philip  was  so  startled  at  this  sudden  and  unex 
pected  outburst  of  passion,  that  he  was  at  a  loss  to  comprehend  it. 
He  stared  at  him  in  dumb  wonderment,  until  at  last  the  truth 
dawned  upon  him. 

"  Ah,"  he  said  with  a  forced  laugh  ;  "  I  understand  ;  a  passion 
at  first  sight.  Well  that  alters  the  case,  of  course.  You  need  fear 
no  interference  on  my  part." 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  81 

"I  would  not  advise  you  to  try  any,"  Arthur  said,  still  glower 
ing  on  the  other. 

"  And  you  are  a  favorite  suitor  ?  "     Philip  inquired. 

"  I  would  give  ten  years  of  my  life  if  I  could  say  yes  ;  "  his 
brother  muttered. 

"What,  in  spite  of  your  beauty  and  stateliness?  Your  lady 
must  be  hard  to  please.  Come,  give  me  a  little  sketch  of  your 
adorer. ' ' 

The  other  shook  his  head.  "I  could  not  do  her  justice,"  he 
said  meekly  ;  "  wait  till  you  see  her.  But  it  is  getting  late.  You 
had  better  wash  and  dress,  if  you  want  to  be  ready  for  dinner." 


CHAPTER  X. 

COMPLICATIONS. 

AVhen  the  brothers  entered  the  parlor  an  hour  later,  they  found 
both  father  and  daughter  awaiting  them.  If  Philip  had  really  in 
tended  to  treat  the  latter  to  some  shallow  compliments,  the  first 
sight  of  her  induced  him  to  abandon  the  idea.  There  she  stood, 
dressed  in  a  snowy  white  ;  so  commanding  in  her  stateliness,  yet  so 
charming  in  her  freshness,  purity  and  a  loveliness'that  he  at  once 
compi'ehended  the  passion  his  brother  had  conceived  for  her,  and 
involuntarily  felt  a  secret  satisfaction  at  what  Arthur  had  said 
about  his  hopelessness  of  success.  He  had  no  time,  however,  to 
follow  up  such  thoughts,  for  even  Herbert  said  then  : 

"Philip,  this  is  my  daughter  Inez  ;  I  have  told  her  who  you  are, 
and  that  you  mean  to  tarry  with  us  for  a  while." 

Whatever  the  reader  may  think  of  Philip's  character,  there  is 
no  doubt  that  he  possessed  the  manners  of  a  gentleman.  Nothing 
could  have  been  more  charming  than  the  mingled  cordiality  and 
respect  with  which  he  approached  her.  Holding  out  his  hand  to 
her,  he  said  :  "  I  can  hardly  tell  you  how  much  pleasure  it  gives 
me  to  make  the  acquaintance  of  a  cousin  of  whose  Jvery  existence  I 
was  ignorant.  May  I  ask  you  to  take  'me  on  trust  a  little  while 
and  afterwards  treat  me  according  to  my  merits?" 


82  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"That  seems  to  be  a  very  fair  proposition,  sir,  unless  you  play 
possum  on  us,"  she  replied,  laying  her  hand  in  his  and  looking  at 
him  with  a  steady  gaze. 

"  Excuse  my  ignorance,"  he  replied  with  a  laugh  ;  "I  neither 
know  what  a  possum  is  nor  how  it  plays." 

"Possum  stands  for  opossum,"  she  explained  gravely  ;  it  often 
pretends  to  be  dead  when  it  is  full  of  life,  and  in  many  other  ways 
endeavors  to  deceive  us." 

"  Well,  if  that  is  all,"  he  answered  laughing  gaily,  "  I  promise 
most  solemnly  that  I  shall  not  play  possum.  I  stand  in  too  great 
an  awe  of  Mr.  Ilattlebones,  to  pretend  being  in  his  clutches  before 
my  time." 

"Well,  if  you  stand  in  .such  great  awe  of  'Hans  MOTS',  you 
will  be  glad  to  learn  that  you  will  now  have  an  opportunity  of  pro 
longing  life  ;  dinner  is  ready." 

During  the  meal,  Philip  proved  himself  so  entertaining  a  com 
panion  that  Herbert  and  Inez  could  not  help  admiring  his  social 
talents.  Arthur,  on  the  other  hand,  chafed  under  this  display,  for 
he  feared  that  the  gifts  of  his  brother  might  put  him  altogether  in 
the  .shade.  He  was  therefore  glad  when  the  meal  was  over,  and 
Inez  retired  to  her  domestic  duties.  The  gentlemen  went  to  the 
office,  where  Philip  continued  to  converse  with  Herbert  in  his 
clever  wray.  When  his  uncle,  after  a  while,  expressed  his  regret 
at  being  obliged  to  leave  them  on  business,  Philip  eagerly  inquired 
Avhether  it  was  of  such  a  nature  as  to  forbid  his  presence.  On 
learning  that  it  was  not,  he  begged  and  obtained  permission  to  ac 
company  his  uncle.  Arthur  declined  their  invitation  to  join  them. 
He  saddled  his  horse  and  rode  out  to  his  retreat  to  drown  his  vexa 
tion  with  rum.  There  we  leave  him  to  accompany  the  others  on 
their  trip.  If  Arthur  had  failed  to  take  sufficient  interest  in 
Friedensthal  and  its  doings,  Philip,  on  the  contrary,  showed  an 
interest  so  feverish  and  restless  as  to  be  equally  annoying.  He 
wanted  to  know  everything  he  saw,  and  never  ceased  his  inquires 
until  he  had  secured  a  perfect  understanding.  Nor  were  his  ques 
tions  idle  or  foolish,  and  although  Herbert  knew  very  well  that 
selfish  motives  lay  at  the  bottom  of  this  curiosity,  he  could  not  well 
refuse  to  give  the  information  sought  so  diligently  and  intelligently. 
More  than  one  sigh  escaped  him  at  the  thought  of  Arthur's  indif- 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  83 

ference,  and  more  than  once  he  formed  the  mental  wish  that  his 
ward  had  an  equal  desire  of  increasing  his  stock  of  knowledge. 

"Besides  asking  questions,  Philip  trusted  to  his  eyes  for  gain 
ing  information.  He  saw  the  people  all  well  dressed,  though  in  the 
light  stuffs  befitting  the  climate.  He  did  not  notice  one  single 
beggar  on  this  or  any  other  occasion  ;  nor  did  he  see  a  single 
drunken  person  during  his  sojourn  in  Friedensthal,  excepting  of 
course,  his  brother,  with  whose  intemperate  habits  he  became  ac 
quainted  before  long.  Herbert  used  his  own  conveyance  on  this 
occassion,  and,  as  they  were  on  the  move  all  the  afternoon,  Philip 
had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  the  greater  portion  of  the  city.  Yet 
he  failed  to  notice  a  single  policeman. 

"Don't  you  keep  any  police  here,  Uncle  ?  "  he  inquired. 

"Oh,  yes,  a  few,"  Herbert  replied;  "  but  they  have  so  little  to 
do  that  their  office  might  be  well  termed  a  sinecure." 

"But  how  do  you  manage  your  roughs;  your  unruly  fellows; 
your  plebs.,  in  short?  " 

"  I  hardly  think  we  have  that  class." 

"What,  no  tramps,  no  vagabonds,  no  rowdies?  Oh!  Happy 
uncle.  Won't  you  please  give  me  the  receipt  for  this  happy  state 
of  affairs  ?  I  could  make  a  fortune  out  of  it  by  selling  it  to  our 
European  statesmen." 

"I  fear  it  would  not  work  there,"  Herbert  said  with  a  dubious 
smile.  "To  be  effective  Europe  would  first  have  to  do  away  with 
her  thousand  wrongs  and  iniquities.  If  we  would  suffer  want  to 
gain  a  footing  here,  its  numerous  companions,  such  as  inebriety, 
rowdyism,  beggary,  theft  and  so  forth,  would  also  make  their  ap 
pearance." 

"And  how  do  you  prevent  want  from  making  its  appearance 
here  ?  Is  it  by  charity  ?  If  so  I  have  to  remind  you  of  the  ease 
with  which  a  Creosus  can  be  charitable." 

"It  is  not  charity,  Philip,  it  is  justice.  Charity  degrades  its 
objects,  as  you  can  readily  perceive  if  you  travel  over  the  world. 
You  will  always  find  a  nation  degraded  in  proportion  to  the  hosts  of 
beggars  it  feeds.  Be  just,  and  you  need  not  be  charitable." 

"And  what  do  you  mean  by  justice,  Uncle?  The  term  is  so 
elastic  that  it  can  be  streached  into  almost  any  shape.  You  can 
hardly  find  two  persons  thinking  alike  on  that  subject." 


84  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"And  yet,  it  is  so  very  simple,  Philip,  that  au  unsophisticated 
mind  can  easily  understand  it.  Only  our  overweened  egotism  pre 
vents  us  from  grasping  its  true  meaning." 

"  But  your  definition,  Uncle  ?" 

"Is  this:  justice  is  the  disposition  to  allow  every  fellowbeing 
the  full  enjoyment  of  all  his  rights." 

"  And  you  think  we  fail  in  Europe  to  administer  justice  in  that 
sense  ? " 

"Think?  Alas  !  I  know  it.  Not  only  in  Europe  but  all  over 
the  world  the  grossest  injustice  is  practiced." 

"And  in  what  particular  right,  Uncle,  are  people  curtailed?" 

"  In  the  inalienable  birthright  of  enjoying  happiness." 

"But,  is  this  not  an  illusion,  Uncle,  to  think  that  all  men  are 
equal  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  say  they  were.  They  differ  greatly  in  mental  and 
physical  qualities ;  but  does  that  entitle  the  strong  and  clever  to 
trample  upon  that  common  birthright  ?  " 

"  Then  you  do  not  believe  in  Darwin's  theory  of  the  survival  of 
the  fittest,  Uncle  ? " 

"It  may  be  true  enough  with  animals,  but  its  application  to 
man  is  too  horrible  to  think  of." 

"  But  the  improvement  of  the  race  ?  " 

' '  Can  still  be  kept  in  view.  By  granting  to  the  feeble  the  en 
joyment  of  all  the  happiness  which  they  are  capable  Ave  put  them 
on  the  surest  road  to  progress." 

"Well,  Uncle,  I  am  by  no  means  ready  to  agree  with  you  in  all 
your  views ;  but  I  confess  that  the  aspect  of  affairs  here  has  a 
strong  persuasive  force,  and  may  eventually  make  me  a  convert  to 
your  opinions.  You  have  certainly  achieved  marvels  here.  I  trust 
I  commit  no  indiscretion  in  asking  you  whether  the  current  rumor 
is  correct  which  says  that  you  discovered  an  inexhaustable  treasure, 
and  were  thus  enabled  to  carry  out  your  grand  scheme  of  reform 
ing  the  world  ? " 

"No  indiscretion  whatever,"  Herbert  replied  coolly;  without, 
however,  vouchsafing  any  further  information. 

"And  are  those  correct  who  trace  this  treasure  to  Montezuma, 
the  emperor  whom  Cortez  dethroned  ?  " 

"What  is  in  a  name  ?     Let  it  be  Montezuma  who  left  me  this 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  85 

treasure.     Gold,  you  know,  leaves  no  more  a  wake  than  water." 

The  wiercl  lustre  once  more  began  to  play  in  Philip's  eyes. 
How  coolly  this  man  spoke  of  riches  the  mere  thought  of  which 
almost  set  him  wild.  The  grim  determination  of  securing  an 
ample  share  of  these  riches,  by  fair  means  if  he  could  ;  by  foul 
means  if  he  must,  struck  root  within  his  mind  more  deeply  every 
moment.  He  would  have  liked  to  dwell  upon  these  thoughts ;  but 
the  fear  of  arousing  Herbert's  suspicion — the  never  ceasing  self-tor 
ture  of  the  evil  mind — drove  him  to  continue  his  lively  conversation 
with  his  uncle. 

"I  see  no  churches,  Uncle,"  he  remarked;  "have  you  no  in 
stitutions  of  that  kind  here  ?  " 

"There  are  few;  at  least,  you  might  class  them  with  these  in 
stitutions,  for  the  people  assemble  there  on  Sunday  and  listen  to 
lectures  of  various  kinds." 

"But,  you  do  not  forbid  religious  exercises  here,  do  you, 
Uncle?" 

"How  can  you  ask,  Philip  ?  "  Herbert  inquired  almost  indig 
nantly  ;  ' '  did  I  not  tell  you  that  we  never  interfere  here  with  any 
body's  pursuit  of  happiness  ?  All  we  require  of  a  person  wishing 
to  settle  among  us,  is  the  pledge  to  abstain  from  teaching  their 
children  any  religious  doctrines  before  their  sixteenth  year." 

"You  surprise  me,  Uncle;  is  not  the  childhood  the  time  to  im 
press  religious  truths  indelibly  upon  the  mind?" 

"Yes,  if  you  have  the  truth  to  impart;  but  where  is  the  guar 
antee  for  this?  It  is  a  sad  evidence  of  egotism  and  conceit  that 
every  one  of  us  is  sure  of  having  the  correct  opinion  of  things 
which  will  forever  remain  a  matter  of  conjecture.  I  consider  it 
wrong,  and  even  cruel,  to  deprive  our  children  of  the  opportunity 
to  judge  for  themselves,  and  this  we  do  by  impressing  dogmas  upon 
their  minds  at  an  age  when  they  are  incapable  of  judging  of  their 
merits.  I  am  aware  that  many  persons  hide  their  egotism  under 
the  pretense  that  they  consider  it  their  duty  to  thus  instruct  their 
children ;  but  this  is  a  shallow  prentense  which  will  not  stand  the 
test  of  scrutiny." 

"But  are  they  not  right  to  fear  that  other  and  fallicious  doc 
trines  will  be  instilled  into  their  children's  minds?  " 


86  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"Such  fear  is  groundless  here,  for  no  teacher  is  allowed  to 
broach  this  subject.  All  they  teach  is  pure  morality." 

"And  is  not  this  another  term  allowing  a  wide  scope  for  defini 
tions?" 

"  Granted  ;  but  we  do  not  indulge  in  any  casuistry.  All  we 
teach  is,  modesty  of  conduct,  respect  for  age  and  law  and  detesta 
tion  of  the  lie." 

"I  understand,  Uncle.  You  must  excuse  me  if  I  worry  you 
with  my  questions;  but  everything  I  see  here  is  so  new  and  strange 
that  I  really  deserve  a  little  considreation.  I  notice  that  girls  here 
dress  in  a  style  termed  Bloomer,  if  my  memory  does  not  decieve 
me.  What  is  the  object  of  this  innovation?" 

"  First,  it  frees  them  from  the  weight  of  a  number  of  under 
garments  which  impede  their  development  and  sows  the  seed  for  a 
number  of  maladies  to  which  the  female  sex  is  now  generally  sub 
ject.  Secondly,  it  permits  their  participation  in  gymnastic  exer 
cises  condusive  to  the  health,  strength  and  beauty.  You  cannot 
help  noticing  that  our  girls,  as  a  rule,  suffer  with  nervousness,  an 
ailment  which  I  attribute  chiefly  to  the  want  of  judicious  exercise 
and  the  partaking  of  richly  seasoned  food,  not  to  mention  the  sen 
sational  literature  of  the  day,  which  awakens  sensual  feeling  before 
the  proper  time  and  leads  to  imorality  and  premature  old  age. 
We  compel  our  girls  to  use  their  limbs  so  vigorously  during  the  day 
that  they  have  no  time  for  voluptuous  dreams  by  night." 

"  Do  I  understand  you  to  mean  that  you  undertake  to  regulate 
the  diet  of  the  children,  here  ?  " 

"That's  what  I  mean,  Philip.     Man  is  a  social  being,  and  it 
therefore  behooves  the  State  to  see  that  the  next  generation  gixnvs- 
up  with  bodies  qualified  for  both  the  fulfillment  of  their  duties  and 
the  enjoyment  of  happiness." 

"  But  such  an  attempt  would  surely  cause  a  rebellion,  even  in 
all  autocratic  Russia." 

"  Because  Russia  is  not  a  free  country.  I  only  call  those  free 
who  have  a  proper  control  of  their  passions,  and  can  subordinate 
appetites  to  the  general  good." 

"And  to  what  extent  do  you  superintend  the  diet  of  the 
children  ?  " 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  87 

"We  merely  forbid  the  use  of  tropical  spices,  coffee,  tea  and 
wine  for  all  children  under  sixteen." 

"  And  does  it  not  require  a  host  of  officers  and  a  system  of 
espionage  to  enforce  this  degree  ?  " 

"On  the  contrary  ;  the  parents  see  too  clearly  the  folly  of 
dwarfing  their  children's  growth  by  such  unreasonable  stimulants 
to  thus  injure  them  wilfully.  More  than  that,  many  families  have 
since  entirely  discarded  the  use  of  the  articles  interdicted." 

"Why,  this  is  truly  wonderful !  "  Philip  exclaimed  with  un 
feigned  admiration." 

"  Not  at  all,  Philip.  Is  it  really  wonderful  that  these  people 
should  love  their  children  ?  Would  it  not  be  rather  strange  if, 
knowing  that  the  stimulants  in  question  impaired  their  children's 
health,  they  would  nevertheless  insist  on  giving  them  to  them  ?  " 

"  True  enough  ;  but  how  do  you  account  for  it  that  the  people 
of  other  parts  do  not  act  equally  judiciously?" 

"Because  they  are  not  free,  Philip;  because  they  have  not 
learned  to  control  their  passions.  Take  the  use  of  tobacco.  Every 
sensible  person  admits  that  it  destroys  the  nervous  system,  and  yet 
it  is  not  only  indulged  in  by  adults,  but  even  boys  of  the  tenderest 
age  are  permitted  to  dwarf  themselves  by  inhaling  the  rank  poison, 
and  thus  become  a  burden  instead  of  a  benefit  to  the  world." 

"So  you  abstain  here  also  from  the  use  of  tobacco?  " 

"  Yes,  it  is  not  grown  here,  and,  excepting  some  elderly  persons, 
lacking  the  moral  force  to  break  off  a  habit  both  filthy  and  in 
jurious,  is  not  used." 

It  was  nearly  supper  time  when  the  two  returned  to  the  villa- 
Philip  was  almost  dizzy  with  what  he  had  seen  and  heard.  It  was 
chiefly  the  novel  ideas  of  his  relative  that  staggered  him  ;  but  they 
in  this  instance,  had  not  fallen  on  fertile  soil.  Philip  was  too  in 
telligent  not  to  have  observed  before  this  that  justice  is  not  properly 
administered  in  the  world  ;  but  as  he  happened  to  belong  to  the 
tipper  crust,  his  egotism  suffered  him  to  look  at  the  wrong  inflicted 
upon  millions  with  a  consummate  indifference.  An  acknowledg 
ment  of  their  rights  would  have  been  equal  to  a  restriction  of  his 
privileges,  a  concession  he  was  by  no  means  inclined  to  make.  He 
indeed,  is  hard  to  convince  who  does  not  want  to  be  convinced ;  so 
all  Philip  brought  home  from  his  ride  was  a  deep  impression  of  his 


88  The  Treasure  of  Monies  uma. 

uncle's  wealth  and  of  the  necessity  of  curbing,  if  not  stopping,  the 
mad  liberality  he  was  on  the  point  of  exercising  towards  the  people 
of  Friedensthal.  How  this  was  to  be  brought  about  he  did  not 
know,  but  he  knew  too  long  a  delay  might  prove  fatal  to  his  plans. 
To  use  force,  was  out  of  the  question,  for  although  he  counted  on 
his  brother's  hercule  and  strength,  the  two  counted  to  nothing 
against  the  faithful  thousands,  who  required  only  a  hint  to  tear 
them  to  pieces.  He  must  use  cunning,  and  his  subtile  mind  worked 
with  a  feverish  activity  to  invent  a  feasable  scheme.  After  supper 
they  met  in  the  parlor  where  Inez  once  more  entertained  them  with 
vocal  and  instrumental  music.  Philip  had  heard  artists  of  world- 
Avide  reputation,  but  he  had  to  confess  that  the  performances  of 
this  girl  did  not  at  all  suffer  by  comparison.  It  was  the  pathos  of 
her  sweet  voice,  and  the  expression  she  put  into  her  instrumental 
pieces,  which  formed  her  chief  attraction,  and  captivated  Philip  to 
such  a  degree  that  the  scowling  glances  of  his  brother  were  neces 
sary  to  remind  him  of  the  danger  of  exciting  the  jealousy  of  that 
desperado.  He  began  to  feel  that  Arthur  would  prove  a  hindrance 
rather  than  a  help  in  his  plans,  and  wished  him  far  away.  Still,  as 
he  was  there,  he  had  to  count  him  in  the  game,  and  endeavored  to 
tone  down  the  feelings  of  admiration  with  which  not  only  his 
cousin's  artistic  skill,  but  her  ready  wit  and  keen  intellect  filled 
him.  He  could  tell  her  nothing  new.  She  had  been  in  Berlin, 
London,  Paris  and  New  York;  but  what  was  more,  she  had  ob 
served  the  curiosities  of  all  these  cities  with  an  attention  and 
appreciation  which  enabled  her  to  converse  about  them  even  more 
intelligently  than  he.  He  could  not  help  thinking  what  a  glorious 
mate  she  would  make  for  even  a  prince,  backed  by  her  father's 
fabulous  wealth.  As  he  looked  at  her,  the  determination  of 
possessing  her  became  a  fixed  feature  of  his  plans,  and  the  idea  of 
his  brother's  disappointment  increased  rather  than  diminished  his 
relish  of  the  idea. 

The  time  passed  rapidly,  and  when  they  parted  at  ten,  Philip 
uttered  no  lie  or  vapid  flattery  when  he  told  his  relatives  that  this 
had  been  one  of  the  most  delightful  evenings  he  had  ever  spent. 
He  declined  his  brother's  offer  to  keep  him  company  a  little  longer, 
on  the  plea  of  being  very  tired  ;  but  if  Arthur  could  have  seen 
him  in  his  room  he  would  have  perceived  that  Philip  was  far  from 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  89 

sleepy.  He  kept  very  quiet,  to  prevent  the  inmates  of  the  house 
from  noticing  his  wakef ulness  ;  but  if  his  limbs  were  at  rest,  his 
mind  was  doubly  active.  To  judge  from  the  intense  fixedness  of 
his  gaze,  he  was  occupied  with  the  solution  of  a  problem  taxing  his 
brain  to  the  utmost.  The  sinister  expression  of  his  face,  moreover, 
might  have  justified  a  casual  observer  in  thinking  that  the  subject 
of  his  thoughts  were  not  exactly  of  a  philanthropic  nature.  It  was 
nearly  twelve  when  he  looked  up,  nodded  ouce  or  twice  ener 
getically,  and  then  with  a  muttered  "That  will  do,  I  guess,"  went 
to  bed. 

There  was  another  party  in  the  house,  however,  that  did  not 
seek  rest  immediately.  It  was  Herbert.  He  had  no  reason  to 
conceal  his  wakefulness  ;  so,  instead  of  sitting  down,  he  walked  up 
and  down  nis  room  in  deep  thoughtfulness.  At  the  expiration  of 
about  thirty  minutes  he  stopped,  seized  a  candle  and,  passing 
through  two  rooms  adjoining  his,  entered  a  third  one  occupied  by  a 
single  person  stretched  in  slumber  on  a  bed.  Herbert's  steps  were 
very  noiseless,  but  he  had  hardly  crossed  the  threshold  when  the 
figure  on  the  bed  bounded  up  with  the  elasticity  of  India  rubber 
and  stood  before  the  intruder  with  a  mien  of  watchful  expectancy, 
without,  however,  uttering  a  single  Avord.  In  the  light  of  Herbert's 
lamp  we  recognize  in  the  occupant  of  the  room  an  Indian  of  a 
powerful  frame  and  splendid  proportions.  A  second  glance,  tells 
us  that  he  is  young.  We  have,  indeed,  seen  these  bronzed  but 
handsome  features  before,  and,  after  thinking  a  moment,  recognize 
the  Indian,  whose  knowledge  of  German  had,  enabled  Philip  to 
make  known  his  wishes  the  evening  before.  After  closing  the  door 
and  listening  intensely  for  a  moment  or  two,  Herbert  placed  the 
lamp  on  a  table  and,  turning  to  the  young  Indian,  said  : 

"  1  see,  Huatle  is  as  wakeful  as  ever  ;  how  does  it  happen  that 
slumber  fled  his  eyes  ?  " 

"  Huatle  was  asleep,  but  the  step  of  his  father  woke  him." 
"I  know,"  Herbert  said  kindly,  extending  his  hand,  which  the 
Indian  seized,  pressing  it  reverently  to  his  bosom.  "  My  son  is  as 
vigilant  as  the  lynx  of  the  woods.  I  am  glad  for  I  have  a  commis 
sion  for  Huatle  which  will  tax  his  cunning  to  the  utmost."  A  ray 
of  pleasure  flitted  over  the  dusky  face. 


90-  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"  Huatle  is  glad  that  his  father  needs  him  ;  he  would  lay  down 
his  life  to  serve  his  father." 

"  I  know,  my  faithful  boy  ;  but  it  is  not  your  life  I  want,  but  a 
concentration  of  all  the  vitality  with  which  nature  has  endowed 
you.  You  have  seen  the  stranger  who  arrived  yesterday  and  is 
now  an  inmate  of  my  house  ?  " 

"  Huatle  has  seen  him." 

"  Very  well.  I  have  reasons  to  believe  that  this  man  harbors 
evil  designs  against  us  all  in  his  breast,  which  must  be  frustrated. 
Have  an  eye  on  him,  but  do  not  let  him  see  that  he  is  watched. 
Do  not  let  one  single  step  or  action  of  his  escape  your  vigilance, 
and  if  you  discover  any  wicked  purpose  or  design,  report  to  me  at 
once,  no  matter  where  I  am  or  what  I  may  be  doing.  Do  you  un 
derstand  me,  Huatle  ?  " 

"  I  understand  my  father." 

"  Very  well,  I  need  not  ask  whether  you  will  execute  my  com 
mission,  as  that  is  a  matter  of  course.  One  thing  more  ;  do  not 
only  conceal  your  movements  from  the  stranger,  but  from  every 
body  else  as  well,  and  do  not  breathe  a  syllable  of  this  conversation 
to  any  living  soul." 

"  My  father  will  be  satisfied  with  Huatle,"  was  the  simple  but 
significant  reply  the  young  Indian  gave.  Herbert  knew  its  full 
import,  and  therefore,  nodding  in  his  fatherly  way,  left  the  room 
with  a  cordial ."  Good  night." 

Beware  Philip  !  An  eye  has  at  this  minute  been  turned  upon 
your  steps  against  whose  keenness  and  penetration  even  that  of  the 
lynx  sinks  into  insignificance.  Guard  your  very  thoughts,  if  you 
do  not  wish  them  to  be  discovered  by  the  young  Indian,  who  will 
henceforth  attach  himself  to  your  heels  with  the  unerring  cer 
tainty  of  the  vulture  or  the  bloodhound. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


AT    BAY. 


The  following  days  only  served  to  deepen  the  impression  which 
the  mental  and  physical  charms  of  Ines  had  made  upon  Philip 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  91 

Grau.  To  say  that  he  loved  her  would  hardly  be  correct.  On  the 
ene  hand  the  sensual  feelings  he  entertained  for  her  does  not  de 
serve  the  name  of  the  exalted  sentiments  of  which  the  poets  have 
sung  since  times  immemorial  ;  and  on  the  other  hand,  Philip  was 
so  constituted  as  to  be  capable  of  only  one  passion  of  that  sort, 
namely  the  love  of  self.  He  gave  her  as  much  attention  as  her 
cold  reserve  and  the  ever  increasing  jealousy  of  his  brother  would 
permit.  He  knew  of  the  old  danger  of  the  sudden  fits  of  rage  to 
which  Arthur  was  subject,  to  say  nothing  of  the  ruin  of  his  plans 
and  prospects  which  an  outburst  of  that  young  man's  fury  was  al 
most  sure  to  bring.  Much  as  he  longed  to  impress  the  mind  of  the 
young  girl  with  his  personal  merits  he  was  too  coolheaded  and 
prudent  to  saciifice  his  prospects  to  the  momentary  gratification  of 
his  senses  or  to  advantages  merely  temporary.  He  could  wait,  and 
consequently  did  wait,  although  what  he  considered  moderation 
was  altogether  too  ardent  a  manifestation  of  devotion  to  suit  his 
brother.  Indeed,  Arthur  became  more  sullen  every  day,  and  came 
so  near  violating  the  rules  of  common  politeness,  even  to  Herbert 
and  his  daughter,  that  Philip  thought  it  proper  to  take  him  to  task 
and  to  warn  him  of  the  madness  of  such  conduct.  He  knew  the 
retreat  where  his  brother  was  wont  to  abandon  himself  to  his  de 
bauching  habit,  and  there,  a  few  weeks  later,  he  went  to  remon 
strate  with  him.  Philip  was  altogether  to  prudent  to  indulge  in 
Arthur's  favorite  beverage.  Rum  is  not  only  apt  to  loosen  the 
most  discreet  tongue  and  set  free  one's  innermost  thoughts,  but  it  is 
poison  in  a  true  sense  of  the  word  in  a  tropical  climate.  He  there 
fore  satisfied  himself  with  the  lightest  wine  Carlos  could  furnish, 
and  partook  even  of  that  beverage  moderately.  Tying  the  horse 
which  Herbert  had  placed  at  his  disposal  to  a  tree  near  a  cluster  of 
bushes,  where  he  expected  to  find  Arthur,  he  entered  ic  and  really 
discovered  him  in  a  condition  by  no  means  prepossessing,  and  in  a 
mood  hardly  safe  for  anyone  bold  enough  to  lecture  him. 

"This  is  a  pretty  go,  I  must  confess, "he  said  sarcastically, 
seating  himself  on  the  table  containing  the  flask  from  which 
Arthur  filled  his  tumbler;  "  I  hunt  you  up  to  impart  to  you  plans 
on  which  depends  the  realization  of  our  hopes,  and  find  a  fellow 
trying  his  very  best  to  drown  his  little  sense  in  whiskey." 

"  Rum,  if  you  please.  No  gentleman  drinks  the  vile  stuff  you 
mention." 


92  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"  I  wonder  whether  it  is  anymore  the  mark  of  a  gentleman  to 
fill  .himself  in  this  fashion  with  rum." 

"Philip,  if  you  know  what  is  good  for  you,  you  will  desist 
from  insulting  me.  I  am  as  sober  as  you,  and  can  prove  it  to  your 
satisfaction.  What  will  you  bet  that  I  can't  hit  the  diamond  pin 
on  your  shirt  bosom  without  soiling  your  shirt  ?  " 

"  I  would  prefer  some  other  proofs  of  your  skill,  said  Philip, 
who  knew  his  brother  too  well  to  doubt  that  it  would  require  but 
little  provocation  to  lead  him  to  such  a  manifestation  of  his  skill 
and  steadiness." 

"  If  you  are  sober,  I  want  you  to  listen  to  some  serious  words 
I  have  to  say  to  you." 

"  Nay,  Philip,  I  do  not  want  any  preaching." 

"  It  is  no  preaching  ;  I  only  Avant  to  know  what  you  mean  by 
provoking  uncle  Herbert  into  open  hostility  against  yourself  ?  I 
wonder  that  he  has  tolerated  your  impudence  this  long.  I  must 
confess,  that  if  anybody  behaved  that  way  to  me  in  my  house  I 
would  feel  greatly  tempted  to  oust  him." 

' '  Let  him  try  it,"  the  other  replied  savagely  ;  "  it  takes  a 
stronger  man  than  uncle  Herbert  to  throw  me  out  of  the  house." 

''There  it  is  again,  this  silly  boast  of  brute  strength.  Need  I 
really  point  out  to  you  the  fact  that  you  can  accomplish  nothing 
against  uncle  Herbert,  and  if  you  were  ten  times  as  strong.  Many 
hounds  are  the  death  of  the  wildest  boar  ;  Avhy,  half  a  dozen  of  his 
savages  would  finish  you  in  less  than  no  time." 

"  Not  before  I  had  laid  a  goodly  number  of  them  low." 

"But  what  satisfaction  would  you  derive  from  that?  You 
would  be  none  the  less  incapable  of  enjoying  their  slaughter.  Can't 
you  comprehend  that  we  must  pursue  another  course  to  reach  our 
purpose  ?  " 

"  Our  purposed"  Arthur  asked  suspiciously  ;  "I  fear  you  mean 
your  purpose." 

"  Are  not  our  interests  common,  you  fool?  "  Philip  said,  losing 
his  patience. 

"No  names,  sir,"  the  bandit  said  with  a  scowl  so  ugly  that 
Philip  thought  it  prudent  to  desist. 

"  "Well,  it  is  enough  to  make  a  saint  swear,"  he  resumed  more 
moderately,  "  to  see  you  wilfully  blind  and  stubborn.  If  you  don't 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  93 

change  your  conduct  in  uncle's  house  there  will  be  an  explosion  be 
fore  I  can  put  my  splendid  plan  into  execution. 

"So  you  have  a  plan?"  Arthur  inquired,  sobering  down  a 
little. 

"Yes,  but  little  prospect  is  there  of  its  execution,  if  you  do 
not  support  me,  but  do  3Tour  very  best  to  foil  me." 

"  AVell,  quit  preaching  and  come  to  the  point.  If  I  like  your 
plan  I  shall  not  withhold  my  co-operation ;  but,  mind  you,  what 
ever  share  of  uncle's  wealth  you  may  appropriate,  I  advise  you  to 
keep  your  covetous  fingers  off  the  girl.  Mind,  let  me  but  get  the 
merest  inkling  of  a  suspicion  to  that  effect  and  you  will  get  a  bullet 
through  your  head,  as  sure  as  my  name  is  Arthur  Grau." 

Philip  felt  a  cold  shudder  running  down  his  back.  He  felt  that 
his  brother  would  not  have  any  more  scruples  to  carry  out  his  mur 
derous  threat  than  to  break  the  bottle  on  the  table,  but  while  he 
felt  the  necessity  of  dissembling,  he  also  felt  a  deadly  hatred  aris 
ing  in  his  breast  against  one  who  did  not  merely  dare  to  threaten 
him,  but  was  also  eminently  qualified  to  carry  his  threat  into  execu 
tion. 

"Nonsense;"  he  exclaimed,  turning  a  shade  paler;  "who 
thinks  of  disputing  you  of  your  inamorata  ?  I  am  supplied,  you 
know,  and  a  fat  slice  of  uncle  Herbert's  wealth  is  all  I  want." 

"  So  much  the  better  for  you  ;  but  out  with  your  plan  ;  if  you 
keep  it  to  yourself  I  cannot  judge  of  its  merits." 

"  Well  here  it  is.  But  stop  ;  let  us  first  see  whether  the  coast 
is  clear."  He  left  the  arbor  and  walked  all  around  it.  He  saw 
nothing  suspicious,  and,  returning  to  his  former  place,  said  to  his 
brother  :  "I  need  not  repeat  to  you  my  conviction  that  we  can  ac 
complish  absolutely  nothing  by  force  ;  so,  the  only  way  left  to  us 
is  cunning.  Did  I  not  hear  you  say  that  you  could  command  a  large 
number  of  trusty  followers  on  short  notice." 

"If  I  said  so,  I  only  spoke  the  truth.  In  less  than  one  month 
I  can  muster  four  hundred  fellows  just  as  brave  and  jolly  as  the 
sun  ever  shone  upon." 

"  And  you  can  have  them  right  here  ?  " 

"Of  course  I  can;  but  what  the  deuce  are  you  driving  at  ? 
Can't  you  for  once  speak  plainly." 


94  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"  It  is  you  that  hinders  me  by  your  everlasting  comments.  I 
am  meditating  nothing  less  than  a  revolution." 

"A  revolution!  You  act  as  if  such  things  were  totally  un 
known  in  Mexico,  while  in  reality,  you  have  them  three  times  a 
day  like  your  meals." 

"  Well,  but  what  good  will  a  revolution  do  you  and  me  ?  " 

"Lots  of  good.  Don't  you  know  that  the  fishermen  muddy 
the  water  when  they  want  to  make  a  big  haul." 

"  Oh,  stop  your  metaphors  and  come  to  the  point." 

"  I  am  coming.  You  take  French  leave  here  to-night,  and  muster 
in  your  men.  You  make  believe ." 

"  Stop  a  moment ;  I  take  French  leave  and  you  stay  in  clover 
and  court  Inez  to  your  heart's  content  ?  No,  sir,  that  is  a  little  too 
thin,  and  you  must  get  up  a  little  earlier  to  catch  me  with  such  a 
clumsy  trap." 

Philip  uttered  a  deep  sigh.  "  I  thought  so  ;  it  is  no  use  to  talk 
to  you,  and  the  best  thing  I  can  do  is  to  pack  my  things  and  leave 
you  to  your  fate,  Avhich  is  not  hard  to  prognosticate." 

"With  these  words  he  rose  and  was  on  the  point  of  leaving,  when 
Arthur  stopped  him  with  a  bad  enough  grace.  "Nonsense;"  he 
said;  "if  you  knew  the  hard  road  these  revolutionists  have  to 
travel,  you  would  not  blame  me  for  disliking  to  give  up  such 
pleasant  quarters." 

"  If  they  are  so  very  pleasant,  why  do  you  growl  constantly  and 
act  like  as  if  you  liked  nothing  better  than  to  be  kicked  out  of 
them. 

"  Well,  it  makes  me  desperate  to  see  how  little  chance  I  have 
of  winning  Inez  ;  but  I  do  not  see  what  benefit  we  can  derive  from 
my  playing  rebel." 

"  Of  course,  you  don't,"  Philip  replied  with  a  sneer.  I  was  on 
the  point  of  explaining  when  you  interrupted  me  with  your  silly 
jealousy." 

Arthur  felt  greatly  tempted  to  make  a  sharp  rejoinder,  but  he 
instinctively  submitted  to  his  brother's  superior  intellect,  and  con 
tented  himself  with  scowling  and  growling.  Philip  noticed  the 
victory  he  had  achieved  and  continued  more  confidently  : 

"You  may  dine  now  on  o}7sters  and  champaign  while  thus  em- 


The  Treasure  of  Monteznma.  95 

ployed,  but  I  always  thought  a  person  ought  to  endure  little  hard 
ships  for  the  sake  of  great  gains." 

"Preaching  again,"  the  other  said  with  a  sneer  ;  "  Why  don't 
you  go  on  with  your  explanation  ?  " 

Philip  groaned,  but  proceeded  : 

' '  You  raise  the  standard  of  rebellion  for  the  benefit  of  some 
popular  leader,  or  in  your  interest,  for  all  I  care.  You  raise  the 
cry  of  corruption,  of  reform  or  some  other  of  the  thousand  baits 
with  which  demagogues  tempt  the  rable,  and,  promising  rich 
plunder,  march  them  hither.  If  you  can  capture  a  couple  of  ships 
and  convey  the  men  here  by  water,  so  much  the  better  ;  for  you 
must  manage  to  arrive  Avithout  detection." 

"  I  think,  I  could  manage  that." 

"  Very  well.  You  know  how  to  get  access  to  the  valley.  By 
using  the  midnight  ebb,  you  can  mass  your  men  unseen  around  the 
cataract  and  easily  overpower  the  savages.  This  accomplished, 
you  can  seize  Lakeview  and  invent  some  bogus  telegram  which  will 
induce  uncle  Herbert  to  come  there  and  put  himself  in  your 
power." 

"  But  you  do  not  imagine  that  my  handful  of  men  could  event 
ually  prevail  against  the  thousands  of  Friedensthal  ?  " 

"  No  ;  nor  is  there  any  necessity  for  that.  A  German  corvette, 
is  cruising  in  the  Pacific  and  when  he  is  once  on  board,  the  glorious 
revolution  has  fulfilled  its  purpose." 

"  I  must  confess  I  do  not  exactly  see  how." 

"Because  you  do  not  know  all  1  know." 

Here  Philip  lowered  his  voice  to  a  whisper  and  said,  bending 
down  towards  his  brother  : 

Herbert  Grau  is  wanted  in  Germany  to  have  the  sentence  of 
death  executed  tipon  him." 

The  bandit  turned  pale.  "You  do  not  mean  that  he  committed 
a  capital  crime  ?  ' ' 

' '  He  rebelled  against  the  Government  in  '48,  and  such  tricks 
are  not  quite  so  dangerless  over  there  as  here.  If  uncle  Herbert 
falls  into  the  hands  of  the  authorities  across  the  ocean,  I  would  not 
give  a  farthing  for  his  life." 

Arthur  did  not  reply.  He  was,  in  fact,  so  overpowered  by  the 
monstrosity  of  his  brother's  villany  that  he  was  incapable  of  utter- 


96  The  Treasure  of  Montezuina. 

ing  a  single  word.  He  had,  no  doubt,  dispatched  more  than  one 
human  being  in  a  hot  fray,  but  he  was  utterly  incapable  of  con 
ceiving  so  villainous  a  scheme.  Philip,  taking  his  silence  for  con 
cent,  continued : 

"The  rest  is  easy.  I  have  sufficient  influence  with  the  govern 
ment  to  have  the  claims  of  the  father  and  daughter  set  aside.  AVe 
two  divide  the  spoils  and  you  take  the  girl  who,  being  penniless, 
will  be  glad  at  the  chance," 

He  stopped  once  more,  and  Arthur,  laboring  under  the  terrible 
revelation  he  had  received,  sprang  up  and  said,  staring  wildly  at 
his  brother :  "Philip,  you  are  either  the  devil  himself  or  the  aptest 
pupil  he  ever  had.  I  cannot  help  shuddering  at  your  diabolical 
scheme." 

The  other  looked  at  him  with  a  mixture  of  pity  and  contempt. 

"You  do?"  he  said.  "Well,  if  it  were  merely  plotting  the 
ruin  of  an  innocent  girl  or  the  killing  of  an  old  and  defenceless 
man,  you  would,  no  doubt,  take  to  the  idea  as  a  duck  to  the  water; 
but  to  deliver  a  criminal  to  justice  is  too  horrible  an  idea  to  be  en 
tertained  by  such  a  virtuous  chap  as  you.  I  want  no  answer  from 
you  now.  Think  it  over,  and  then  give  me  your  final  decision. 
But  mind ;  if  I  have  to  work  out  this  thing  alone,  don't  you  after 
wards  come  in  for  your  share,  for  as  sure  as  my  name  is  Philip  such 
a  step  would  be  worse  than  idle.' ' 

With  this  he  arose  and  left  the  arbor,  mounted  his  horse  and 
returned  to  the  city,  followed  at  a  distance  by  Huatle,  who  had  not 
ventured  near  enough  to  catch  the  conversation,  but  seen  enough 
to  feel  convinced  that  some  kind  of  a  plot  was  being  hatched  be 
tween  the  two. 

Arthur,  meanwhile,  remained  in  the  arbor,  the  prey  of  conflict 
ing  thoughts.  For  awhile  he  continued  to  shudder  at  his  brother's 
fiendish  scheme ;  but  it  is  with  wicked  thoughts  as  with  plain  faces ; 
first  their  ugliness  startles  us,  but  after  awhile  we  get  so  much  ac 
customed  to  them  that  we  no  longer  notice  their  plainness.  Of  one 
thing  Arthur  soon  became  convinced  :  without  his  brother's  aid  his 
prospects  of  winning  Inez  were  altogether  hopeless,  and  so  deep  a 
hold  had  his  passion  for  her  taken  of  him  that  even  the  thoughts 
of  the  blackest  crime  was  more  endurable  than  that  of  losing  her. 
Liberal  potations  of  rum  helped  to  overcome  his  pangs  of  consci- 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  97 

ence  and  half  an  hour  had  hardly  elapsed  when  he  scorned  his 
scruples  and  resolved  that  he  would  rather  storm  hell  itself  than 
give  up  the  girl,  who  had  by  this  time  become  the  only  desirable 
object  in  the  world  for  him.  He  was  on  the  point  of  rising  with 
the  intention  of  leaving  the  place,  when  he  suddenly  heard  a  light 
footstep,  and  a  few  seconds  later  the  subject  of  his  thoughts  stood 
before  him.  It  is  hard  to  say  which  of  the  two  was  the  more 
startled  and  surprised ;  while  the  emotions  of  Inez  were  at  first 
merely  those  of  unmixed  wonderment,  those  of  Arthur  had  a 
strong  admixture  of  shame.  He  sprang  to  his  feet,  but  his  pota 
tions  had  been  so  copious  that  he  found  it  difficult  to  maintain  his 
equilibrium. 

"Inez!"  was  all  that  he  could  manage  to  stammer,  and  even 
this  word  came  forth  with  that  thickness  peculiar  to  the  state  of  in 
toxication.  She  saw  it  all  now,  and  the  original  wonderment  gave 
way  to  a  feeling  of  indignation  and  contempt,  which  her  face  be 
trayed  so  clearly  that  he  became  painfully  aware  of  it.  He  evident 
ly  made  an  effort  to  say  something  more,  but  she  gave  him  no 
chance,  for  with  an  icy  tone  she  said : 

"Ah,  I  am  de  trap  here;  excuse  my  interruption  of  such  in 
tellectual  pleasures." 

She  made  a  stately  bow,  and  was  on  the  point  of  turning  her 
back  to  him,  when  her  name  uttered  with  a  truly  painful  emphasis 
caused  her  to  stop.  Still,  she  did  not  deign  to  speak,  but  merely 
cast  a  haughty  glance  at  him. 

"Inez,"  he  finally  managed  to  stammer;  "I  know  you  despise 
me,  you  must  despise  me  ;  but  do  not  cast  me  off  in  this  Avay.  If 
you  knew  what  you  are  to  me,  and  how  I  worship  the  very  ground 
on  which  you  walk,  you  would  not  thus  turn  away  and  give  me  up 
to  despair." 

A  deep  frown  gathered  on  her  brow,  but  her  voice  was  cold  as 
before  when  she  replied  :  ' '  Did  you  merely  retain  me  to  insult  me? 
Excuse  me  but  I  must  decline  to  listen  longer." 

Her  cold  contempt  stung  him  to  the  quick. 

"But  you  must  listen,"  he  said  doggedly.  "For  why  did  you 
inspire  me  with  such  a  passion  if  you  refuse  even  to  listen  to  its 
avowal  ?  Am  I  a  dog  to  be  thus  driven  away  with  a  kick  ? " 

"Whatever  you  may  be,  you  surely  are  not  a  gentleman,  or 

7 


98  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

you  would  not  compel  a  woman  to  listen  to  the  fancies  of  a  mud 
dled  brain.  Good  day,  sir." 

Again  she  turned  to  go,  but  was  prevented  by  a  sudden  move 
ment  on  his  part.  Her  scornful  words  were  evidently  too  much 
for  his  self-control,  partly  upset  as  it  was  by  his  indulgence.  With 
a  sudden  spring  he  was  upon  her,  grasping  her  arm  whirled  her 
around  with  a  vehemence  which  brought  her  to  the  other  side  of 
the  arbor,  while  he  placed  himself  so  as  to  cut  off  her  retreat. 
Still,  she  was  not  cowed.  She  arose  to  her  full  height,  and  her 
eyes  flashed  h're  as  she  exclaimed:  "  Coward,  how  dare  you  ?  " 

"A  desperate  man  dares  anything,"  he  groweled,  knowing 
hardly  what  he  said.  "  Perhaps  you  like  this  wooing  better  than  a 
gentler  one  ?  " 

"  Hum  has  crazed  your  brain  or  you  would  not  be  guilty  of  con 
duct  which  can  only  befit  a  Mexican  bandit,  but — 

"What  do  you  mean,  girl?"  he  interrupted  her,  turning  ghast 
ly  pale  and  seizing  her  once  more  by  the  wrist  with  a  sudden  spring. 
This  time,  however,  she  had  been  on  her  guard.  Collecting  all  her 
strength  in  one  effort,  she  hurled  him  back  with  a  force  which 
made  him  stagger.  Before  he  had  time  to  recover  his  balance,  she 
retreated  behind  the  table  and,  putting  a  little  whistle  to  her  lips, 
blew  from  it  one  long  piercing  sound.  Her  unexpected  resistance 
had  plainly  destroyed  the  small  remainder  of  reason  left  him  by 
rum  and  passion.  Uttering  a  savage  growl  which  would  have  done 
credit  to  a  tiger,  he  was  on  the  point  of  casting  himself  upon  the 
fearless  girl,  when  suddenly  a  rustle  became  audible  in  the  bushes, 
and  the  noble  hound  we  noticed  on  our  first  visit  to  the  farm,  burst 
into  view.  He  looked  around  as  if  to  take  in  the  situation  and 
then,  walking  to  the  side  of  the  girl,  gazed  up  to  her  as  if  he  meant 
to  sav : 

"Well,  here  I  am  ;  what  is  wanted  ?  " 

Inez  contented  herself  with  patting  his  head,  while  Arthur 
stood  there,  uncertain  what  do  for,  furious  though  he  was,  he  saw 
well  enough  that  the  dog  was  fully  a  match  for  him.  He  made  a 
quick  movement  for  his  hip  pocket,  as  if  he  meant  to  draw  a  re 
volver!;  but  drew  back  his  hand  empty.  Perhaps  the  pistol  which 
he  had  habitually  carried  was  not  there ;  perhaps  the  short  pause 
had  sufficed  to  show  him  the  madness  of  his  conduct.  He  certainly 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuina.  99 

made  no  further  attempt  to  molest  the  girl  and,  when  she  said  in 
commanding  tones,  and  with  the  dignity  of  a  queen  :  "  Clear  the 
way,  sir."  he  obeyed  with  the  sullenness  of  a  conquered  tiger. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

AND    ALTERK(JO. 

The  next  morning  when  Inez  took  her  usual  promenade  in  the 
garden,  she  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  encountered  Arthur,  who 
looked  so  wretched  and  woe  begone  that  she  abstained  from  obey 
ing  her  first  impulse  of  turning  her  back  upon  him. 

"Miss  Inez,"  he  began  in  a  low  tone,  "I  know  well  that  I  de 
serve  no  pardon  for  my  shocking  conduct  of  yesterday,  but  I  must 
crave  it  nevertheless,  for  I  could  not  live  under  this  cloud.  I  make 
no  pledges,  I  offer  no  excuses,  but  simply  ask,  whether,  in  the 
goodness  of  your  heart,  you  will  forgive  me." 

He  stopped.  Inez  hesitated  a  moment.  Her  repugnance  of 
this  young  man  was  so  great  that  it  came  near  neutralizing  the 
promptings  of  her  natural  kindness,  which  made  it  hard  for  her  to 
harbor  resentment.  Finally,  however,  she  conquered  this  feeling 
so  far  as  to  reply  :  "I  Avill  not  withhold  my  pardon,  Arthur  Grau  ; 
but  while  I  am  willing  to  forgive,  I  cannot  forget.  Our  relation 
must  henceforth  stand  on  a  different  basis.  I  cannot  feel  friend 
ship  where  I  lack  confidence,  and  if  you  are  contented  with  civility 
alone,  you  may,  for  all  I  care,  remain  an  inmate  of  our  house.  I 
have  not  told  my  father,  for  the  disappointment  which  your  short 
comings  have  caused  him,  is  great  enough,  Heaven  knows." 

"Your  terms  are  hard,  but  I  have  no  right  to  expect  better 
ones  and  accept  them  in  all  humility.  I  trust  the  day  will  come, 
when  you  can  and  will  once  more  bestow  your  friendship  upon  me. 

"I  share  this  hope;  but  now  you  must  excuse  me.  There  is 
Clara,  calling  for  breakfast." 

She  left  him,  and  he  followed  with  a  sober  face.  Can  it  be  that 
the  hard  crust  of  his  heart  had  been  broken  and  that  he  has  formed 


100  The  Treasure  of  Monteznma. 

the  resolution  of  living  henceforth  a  purer  and  better  life?  It  is  to 
be  hoped  ;  but  we  must  not  forget  that  the  road  to  a  certain  bad 
place  is  said  to  be  paved  with  good  resolutions,  and  that  such  bad 
habits  and  violent  passions  as  his  are  powerful  weeds,  apt  to  choke 
the  tender  plants  as  good  resolutions  are  apt  to  be.  We,  there 
fore,  kindly  caution  the  reader  not  to  count  too  quickly  upon  this 
wayward  fellow  as  the  one  sinner  over  which  there  is  to  be  re 
joicing. 

We  know  from  Inez'  own  lips  that  she  had  abstained  from  tell 
ing  her  father  of  the  shocking  scene  in  the  arbor,  and  may  there 
fore  take  it  for  granted  that  she  had  not  been  any  more  communica 
tive  to  I'hilip.  This  worthy  could,  of  course,  not  help  wondering 
at  his  brother's  sudden  change  of  conduct ;  but  the  ample  portion 
of  self-esteem  with  which  he  was  endowed,  induced  him  to  credit 
his  exortations  with  this  favorable  change.  He  tried  repeatedly  to 
renew  the  subject  which  had  formed  the  theme  of  the  conversation 
recorded  ;  but  Arthur  managed  to  put  him  off  on  some  pretense  or 
other,  causing  Philip  to  become  quite  nervous  over  this  unaccount 
able  whim. 

Two  mouths  had  thus  slipped  away  and  February  set  in.  We 
have  said  nothing  more  about  Herbert's  disappointment  over  the 
frustration  of  all  the  hopes  which  he  had  once  based  upon  this 
young  man.  For  a  while  his  grief  had  been  quite  keen  :  but 
Herbert's  was  one  of  those  practical  natures  which  take  life  as  it  is, 
and  not  as  it  ought  to  be.  He  had  been  studying  all  this  while  on 
the  best  course  to  pursue,  and  had  nearly  made  up  his  mind,  when 
things  occurred  which  occupied  him  to  the  exclusion  of  almost 
everything  else. 

As  to  Inez,  she  endeavored  to  maintain  towards  her  relatives  a 
uniform  politeness,  although  she  was  too  sincere  to  feign  a  cordial 
ity  which  she  did  not  feel.  The  road  leading  to  Carlos  farm  had 
been  her  favorite  resort  for  walks  and  rides,  but  since  the  perilous 
encounter  of  the  arbor  she  had  avoided  that  neigborhood  as  much 
as  possible  and  even  been  very  charry  in  her  visits  to  the  farm, 
much  to  the  regret  of  Marguerita  and  Annetta  who  complained 
bitterly  of  such  unmerited  neglect.  Inez  did  not  exactly  distrust 
her  cousin,  but  she  deemed  it  prudent  not  to  expose  him  to  danger 
ous  temtations,  and  now  generally  made  her  excursions  in  an  oppo- 


The  Tr<'<t*<ir<-  of  Montcznuxi.  101 

site  direction,  taking  care,  moreover,  to  start  unseen  by  him.  She 
also  armed  herself  with  a  small  revolver  on  such  occasions,  deeming 
prudence  the  better  part  of  valor.  Thus  prepared,  however,  she 
roved  about  as  much  as  ever,  changing  merely,  as  indicated,  the 
direction,  of  her  rambles.  One  fair  morning  she  had  her  horse  sad 
dled  at  an  early  hour,  and  started  in  a  south-easterly  direction. 
Her  way  led  her  down  Laura  Street,  through  the  middle  of  the 
city.  It  was  evident  that  she  was  as  much  an  object  of  public  affec 
tion  as  her  father,  for  she  could  not  proceed  a  dozen  steps  without  be 
ing  hailed  on  all  sides.  Nor  was  it  a  wonder.  As  she  cantered  along 
in  her  spotless  riding  suit  of  pure  white,  her  black  curls  streaming 
juantily  from  under  a  broad-brimmed  straw  hat,  she  looked  for  all 
the  world  like  a  fairy,  or  like  the  guardian  angel  of  the  valley, 
which,  in  a  certain  sense,  she  was.  She  passed  the  large  central 
park,  and,  traversing  the  eastern  half  of  the  city,  soon  entered  the 
open  country  beyond.  A  favorite  grey  hound  galluped  around, 
describing  a  do/en  times  over  the  road  his  mistress  pursued.  The 
morning  was  lovely  in  the  extreme.  The  spring  of  that  high  lati 
tude  had  fully  set  in  and  literally  robed  the  region  in  a  garment  of 
flowers.  The  farmers  along  the  road  were  busy  putting  in  their 
seeds,  'out  they  all  found  time  to  wave  or  shout  a  greeting  to  the 
girl  and  ga/ed  with  a  mixture  of  affection  and  admiration  after  her. 
Inez  seemed  bound  for  a  long  ramble,  for,  after  crossing  the  open 
country,  she  entered  the  woods  which  bound  the  valley,  as  well  on 
this  as  on  the  opposite  side.  On,  on  she  went,  the  road  gradually 
becoming  steeper  and  rougher.  It  was  only  after  a  ride  of  fully 
two  miles  through  the  woods  that  she  at  last  reigned  in  her  horse , 
patting  his  neck  affectionately  and  saying  : 

"  Well  done,  Ca'sar  ;  I  think  it  is  about  time  to  return."  Then 
she  raised  the  whistle  and  was  on  the  point  of  using  it,  when  she 
heard  the  dog  utter  a  long  and  painful  howl,  as  if  he  were  either 
in  distress  himself,  or  witnessed  somebody  in  distress.  Inez  could 
not  see  him,  but  the  sound  emanated  from  the  bushes  ahead  ;  so, 
without  thinking  at  all  of  the  danger  which  an  advance  might 
bring,  she  urged  her  horse  at  once  into  a  sharp  gait  and  in  less  than 
a  minute  reached  the  open  space  where  the  dog  was  continuing  his 
plaintive  tones.  What  she  saw  was  well  calculated  to  test  her 
nerves.  Two  bodies  were  stretched  on  the  ground,  apparently, 


102  The  Treasure  of  Mon 

both  of  them  dead.  The  first  was  that  of  a  huge  grizzly  bear,  the 
most  formidable  of  all  the  beasts  of  prey  inhabiting  the  mountain 
ranges  of  the  New  World.  The  second  was  that  of  a  man  who  had 
evidently  become  the  victim  of  the  brute's  ferocity.  The  bear  lay 
partly  on  the  man  who  seemed  to  have  inflicted  the  death  wound 
while  receiving  one  himself. 

Inez  was  not  the  girl  to  deliver  herself  to  a  silly  sentimentality. 
(Quieting  her  trembling  steed,  she  dismounted,  and,  after  tying  him 
to  a  sapling,  hastily  walked  to  the  shocking  scene.  No  sooner 
had  she  reached  it,  however,  and  cast  a  glance  at  the  face  of  the 
unfortunate  person,  when  a  cry  of  horror  escaped  her  lips,  for  she 
recognized  at  once  the  handsome,  but  now  deadly  pale  face  of  her 
cousin  Arthur. 

All  the  feeling  of  repugnance  which  had  filled  her  bosom 
towards  the  young  man  vanished,  of  course,  at  the  sight  of  his 
bloody  corpse,  for  such  she  fully  believed  it  to  be.  With  eyes  full 
of  tender  pity,  but  with  a  firm  step  she  went  up  to  him,  to  see 
whether  he  was  really  beyond  the  reach  of  help.  His  right  arm 
seemed  to  have  received  the  fatal  blow.  The  sleeves  of  both  coat 
and  shirt  were  torn,  and  the  bare  arm  showed  gaping  wounds  evi 
dently  caused  by  the  fearful  claws  of  the  animal.  His  life  blood 
must  have  flowed  from  these  wounds,  for  the  neighboring  ground 
was  deeply  dyed  with  the  precious  fluid. 

Inez  understood  enough  of  anatomy  to  know  that  such  wounds 
need  not  be  fatal  in  themselves,  and  this  knowledge  inspired  her 
with  the  hope  that  there  might  still  be  life  in  the  body,  and  that 
speedy  help  and  judicious  treatment  might  preserve  it.  This  help, 
then,  must  be  speedily  secured.  Rapidly  rising,  she  was  on  the 
point  of  mounting  her  horse,  when  she  saw  that  the  blood  was  still 
oozing  from  the  wounds.  This  would  not  do.  So  rapidly  retrac 
ing  her  steps,  she  took  her  handkerchief  and  tied  it  gently,  but 
securely,  around  the  lacerated  arm.  After  convincing  herself  that 
this  measure  had  the  desired  effect,  she  mounted  her  horse,  and 
urging  him  with  voice  and  whip,  made  him  skim  the  ground  with 
the  swiftness  of  the  swallow.  It  took  her  only  a  few  minutes  to 
reach  the  nearest  farm  where  she  communicated  the  shocking  news 
and  asked  for  help.  The  farmer  at  once  entered  with  alacrity  upon 
her  views,  lending  a  mounted  messenger  to  Herbert  <<rau,  he 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  103 

himself  hitched  a  horse  to  a  spring  wagon,  and,  in  company  with  his 
servant,  started  without  delay  for  the  scene  of  the  struggle,  whither 
Inez  had  preceeded  him.  When  the  men  arrived  they  found  her 
kneeling  at  the  side  of  the  prostrate  form,  bathing  his  face  with 
water  which  she  had  secured  from  a  neighboring  brook. 

"Poor  fellow,"  the  farmer  exclaimed;  "I  fear  he  is  beyond 
the  reach  of  human  skill." 

"  I  trust  not,"  Inez  replied  encouragingly  ;  "  Please  remove  the 
body  of  the  brute  and  then  lift  him  on  the  wagon  as  gently  as  you 
can." 

The  men  complied,  but  it  took  their  united  strength  to  remove 
the  ponderous  body,  which  the  farmer  pronounced  to  be  a 
"stunner."  This  accomplished,  they  lifted  the  senseless  youth  as 
tenderly  as  possible  on  the  matress  with  which  the  wagon  had  been 
provided,  Inez  charging  herself  with  the  care  of  the  wounded  arm. 
Then  they  started  for  the  farm,  but  as  they  had  to  drive  slowly, 
they  reached  it  only  a  few  minutes  before  Herbert,  who  had  for 
tunately  been  at  home  on  the  arrival  of  the  messenger,  and  used 
his  horse,  to  reach  the  farm  as  soon  as  possible.  Under  his  judi 
cious  care  the  wounded  man  was  laid  on  a  couch,  and  the  lacerated 
arm  skillfully  bandaged.  When  Inez  looked  at  him  inquiringly, 
he  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  said  gravely  : 

"It  will  be  a  hard  pull.  Fever  will  undoubtedly  set  in,  and  i£ 
his  brain  becomes  affected,  their  is  little  hope  of  his  recovery.  If 
he  had  been  a  man  of  temperate  habits,  his  chances  would  be  much 
better  ;  but  rum  is  a  mortal  foe  in  these  latitudes." 

"  Can  he  be  removed  to  our  house  ? " 

"No,  child  ;  such  an  attempt  would  probably  prove  fatal.  It 
may  take  weeks  before  we  can  remove  him,  if  we  remove  him  at 
all." 

He  spoke  so  gravely  that  Inez  saw  he  feared  the  worst. 

"In  such  a  case  we  must  provide  a  nurse,  father,"  she  said. 
"  These  people  are  too  busy  to  nurse  the  patient." 

"Of  course,  Inez,  I  shall  at  once  take  the  needful  steps." 

"  And  I  will  stay  until  his  arrival.  I  presume  you  mean  to 
send  a  man  ?  " 

' '  It  would  perhaps  be  best.     He  will  become  delirious  and  say 


104  The  Treasure  of  Monteznma. 

tilings  unfit  for  a  woman's  ear.  Good  bye,  daughter  ;  I  shall  en 
deavor  to  relieve  you  soon." 

AVhen  Herbert  had  left,  Inez  .seated  herself  at  the  bedside  of 
the  wounded  man,  and  abandoned  herself  to  her  thoughts. 

How  wonderfully  things  had  changed  on  a  sudden.  Only  yes 
terday  this  young  man  had  walked  about,  a  tower  of  strength,  and 
now  he  lay  there  helpless  as  a  baby,  on  the  very  verge  of  death. 

While  thus  employed,  she  mechanically  put  her  hand  in  her 
pocket  and,  feeling  a  hard  object,  drew  it  forth.  It  proved  to  be  a 
book,  and  now  she  recollected  what  she  had  forgotten  in  the  excite 
ment  of  the  hour.  When  the  men  had  lifted  Arthur  into  the 
wagon,  this  book  had  dropped  from  his  breast  pocket,  and  she  had 
put  it  in  her  pocket,  to  save  it  and  afterwards  return  it  to  the  owner. 
She  was  on  the  point  of  opening  it  mechanically,  when  the  door 
opened  and  Philip  stepped  into  the  room.  He  must  have  taken  the 
news  of  the  accident  very  hard,  for  his  face  was  very  pale  and  his 
gait  rather  uncertain,  as  he  walked  to  the  bedside,  asking  in  a 
husky  whisper: 

"Is  he  conscious?" 

Inez  shook  her  head,  and  this  news,  strange  to  say,  seemed  to 
relieve  him  visibly.  He  looked  at  the  form  on  the  bed,  as  if  he 
meant  to  impress  every  feature  indelibly  on  his  memory.  He  did 
not  say  another  word ;  nor  did  his  visit  last  longer  than  a  few  min 
utes.  With  a  nod  he  arose  and  left  the  room,  and  Inez  could  not 
help  wondering  at  his  queer  behavior,  which  she  did  not  under 
stand  until  many  hours  later. 

When  Philip  had  left  she  relapsed  into  her  reveries,  until  the 
appearance  of  the  nurse  once  more  interrupted  her,  and  gave  her 
an  opportunity  for  returning  home.  We  cannot  accompany  her, 
as  the  strange  conduct  of  Philip  has  perchance  aroused  the  reader's 
curiosity  making  it  advisable  for  us  to  attach  ourselves  to  his  steps. 
We  know  him  to  be  a  man  or  great  deliberation  and  must  therefore 
greatly  wonder  at  the  break-neck  speed  with  which  he  urges  his 
steed  on  his  home  journey,  disregarding,  we  fear,  the  safety  of  the 
people  on  the  way.  Nor  did  Philip  stop  at  Herbert's  villa,  but, 
speeding  on,  proceeded  to  Carlos'  farm.  With  a  meiu  full  of 
anxiety  he  walked  to  his  brother's  retreat,  and  breathed  a  sigh  of 
relief  when  he  discovered  him  enveloped  in  a  cloud  of  smoke.  To 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma,  105 

do  him  justice  the  rum  flask  was  wanting  this  time  and  Arthur 
was  therefore  in  a  much  better  condition  to  receive  such  news  as  his 
brother  had  evidently  to  communicate.  Philip  whispered  only  a 
few  words  into  his  ear,  so  low  that  we  fail  to  hear  them,  but  so 
startling  that  Arthur  sprang  up,  and  said  with  great  consternation  : 

"Are  you  sure? " 

"Of  course  I  am.  I  saw  him  with  my  own  eyes.  He  has  been 
badly  wounded  by  a  grizzly,  but  even  if  he  dies,  which  I  devoutly 
hope  he  will,  your  sojourn  here  is  at  an  end,  as  the  discovery  of 
your  fraud  is  inevitable." 

'•  But  what  is  to  be  done?" 

"You  must  at  once  hide  in  a  safe  refuge,  until  we  can  smuggle 
you  from  the  valley.  You  have  a  confident  in  this  fellow  Carlos, 
have  you  not?" 

"Yes,  I  can  confide  in  him." 

"Well  that  is  fortunate.  He  must  hide  you  and  give  me  a 
chance  of  meeting  you  before  you  leave." 

"So  you  are  going  to  abandon  me,  now  that  my  game  is  up?  " 
Arthur  said  with  a  scowl. 

'•But  don't  you  see  that  I  must  pretend  to  have  been  deceived 
as  well  as  the  rest,  if  I  want  to  have  a  chance  of  remaining  here? 
Philip  remonstrated  impatiently.  "I  do  not  wish  to  remain  longer 
than  necessary,  and  if  you  hurry  with  the  execution  of  my  plan, 
there  will  be  no  necessity  of  tarrying  much  longer." 

Arthur  continued  to  scowl,  but  he  was  helpless  to  mend  mat 
ters.  He  could  certainly  not  remain  at  the  villa  after  thfe  discov 
ery  of  the  gross  fraud  he  had  practiced  upon  its  inmates.  It  was 
even  dangerous  to  tarry  much  longer  where  he  was,  for  he  might 
look  for  measiu'es  of  great  severity,  on  the  part  of  his  uncle,  whose 
wrath  he  had  provoked  in  no  small  degree.  He  therefore  was 
forced  to  listen  to  the  counsel  of  his  brother  who  promised  to  send 
Carlos  to  the  arbor,  to  watch  his  interests  to  the  best  of  his  ability. 

"I  ought  to  have  my  Wardrobe,"  he  said  despondently,  as 
Philip  was  about  to  leave. 

"I  shall  get  it  for  you  as  soon  as  I  can,  though  we  must  be 
careful.  I  have  caught  one  of  the  indians  prowling  at  my  heels 
more  than  once,  and  have  reason  to  fear  that  he  has  been  set  to  dog 
my  steps.  Good  bye  now,  Arthur,  I  must  really  go." 


10H  The  Treasure  of  Montezuina. 

"One  moment  more,  Philip;  you  know  Clara,  the  girl  in  the 
villa?" 

"AY ell,  what  of  her?" 

"Oh,  she  is  sweet  on  me  and  if  you  need  a  confident,  you  can 
trust  her  without  fear." 

"Well  that  may  come  handy;  but  now,  au  revoir,  1  have  tar 
ried  too  long  already." 

With  this  he  went,  but  the  keen  eyes  of  Hautle  had  espied  him, 
and  as  the  young  Indian  knew  the  arbor  to  be  the  haunt  of  Arthur 
his  conviction  of  a  conspiracy  between  the  two  became  confirmed. 
Still,  as  Herbert  wanted  certainty  and  not  suspicion,  he  resolved  to 
keep  his  discoveries  a  little  while  longer  to  himself. 

A  few  mintes  after  Philip's  departure  Carlos  made  his  appear 
ance  in  the  arbor,  and  asked  what  the  Capitan  wished. 

"Well,  Carlos,  a  little  unpleasantness  has  arisen  between  my 
relatives  and  myself,  making  it  desirable  that  I  should  disappear 
for  a  little  while :  Have  you  not  a  place  where  you  can  hide  me 
effectually?" 

Carlos  shook  his  head.  It  was  evident  that  his  capitan  began 
to  be  a  burden  which  he  would  like  to  shake  off  without  ceremony; 
but  as  he  was  afraid  of  the  other's  dagger  and  revolver,  he  hasten 
ed  to  modify  his  gesture  by  saying: 

"If  father  Herbert  sends  his  Indians  on  your  track,  there  is  no 
place  in  the  valley  where  they  would  not  find  you." 

"But  it  is  not  as  bad  as  that,"  the  bandit  suggested.  "He 
may  possibly  not  seek  me  at  all,  and  the  squall  may  blow  over  in 
less  than  no  time.  Still,  I  would  like  to  disappear  for  a  week  or 
two,  and  count  on  your  assistance  to  carry  out  my  purpose." 

Carlos  reflected  a  while  and  then  said:  "AVell,  there  is  the  old 
Mexican  mine  in  the  mountains  above  here.  But  I  tell  you  Capi 
tan,  it  is  a  sorrowful  place,  more  fit  to  harbor  bats  and  owls  than 
human  beings." 

"Well  beggars  are  no  choosers,  you  knowr,  Carlos;  so  I  shall 
accept  your  kind  offer  and  lodge  for  a  while  in  the  Hotel  de  Gold 
Mine.  You  will  oblige  me  by  taking  me  there  at  once,  as  I  have 
not  the  slightest  desire  of  meeting  my  uncle  just  at  present." 

"  But  the  Capitan  must  take  some  provisions  along,  else  he 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  107 

would  starve  there  very  soon.  In  fact  when  he  sees  the  place  he 
will  blame  me  for  taking  him  there." 

"Go  and  get  your  grub  ;  I  am  sure  your  worthy  dame  will  not 
begrudge  me  a  loaf  or  two;  indeed  there  is  no  risk  of  taking  her 
into  your  confidence." 

Carlos  did  not  say  what  he  thought  on  that  subject,  for  he  left 
the  arbor  without  another  word  in  quest  of  provisions.  Half  an 
hour  later  he  returned  with  a  large  basket  well  filled  with  eatables 
of  every  kind.  Several  bottles  whose  necks  projected  from  the 
basket,  showed  that  he  had  not  forgotten  the  peculiar  penchant  of 
the  Capitan  who  took  all  the  cigars  the  drawer  of  the  table  con 
tained  and  declared  his  readiness  to  follow  Carlos  to  wherever  he 
would  lead.  Carlos  obeyed.  Taking  the  direction  to  the  neighbor 
ing  woods,  he  soon  entered  their  somber  shade.  For  the  first  three 
miles  the  road  ran  smoothly  enough  ;  but  after  that  it  became  steep 
and  rough  or  rather  ceased  altogether.  Huge  rocks  began  to  inter 
fere  with  their  progress,  and  a  little  later  there  was  nothing  but  a 
continued  jumping  from  one  rock  to  another.  At  length  Carlos 
stopped  before  a  large  hole  in  the  rocks  which  seemed  to  be  the  en 
trance  of  a  cave,  but  was,  as  Carlos  declared,  the  old  gold  mine  of 
which  they  were  in  search.  It  did  not  look  very  inviting,  for  the 
rocks  were  bare  and  rugged.  No  grass  covered  the  ground  and  the 
water  which  was  so  remarkable  a  feature  of  the  valley,  disappear 
ed  here  entirely.  Carlos  informed  his  companion  that  it  would  not 
be  safe  to  enter  too  deep  into  the  mine,  as  it  was  full  of  holes  and 
and  old  shafts.  He  showed  him,  however,  a  cavity  on  the  right  in 
which  he  could  hide  and  sleep.  Finally  he  gathered  a  supply  of 
pine  boughs  and  then  retired,  promising  to  make  daily  visits,  unless 
absoluteiy  forbidden  by  circumstances  to  do  so. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

GLIMPSES. 


Herbert  paid  several  visits  to  the  patient  during  the  day  ;  but 
when  Inez  asked  him   iu  the  evening  about  his  condition,  he  said 


108  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

that  he  could  give  as  yet  no  definite  answer.  The  patient  did  as 
well  as  could  be  expected  under  the  circumstances  ;  but  the  issue 
depended  upon  the  character  of  the  fever  likely  to  set  in.  There 
was  no  music  in  the  villa  that  evening  for,  though  Herbert  and  his 
daughter  bore  the  sufferer  but  little  affection,  his  critical  condition 
nevertheless  cast  a  shadow  over  the  household.  The  family  retired 
early,  and  as  Inez  hung  away  her  dress,  she  felt  once  more  the  book 
in  the  pocket  of  her  riding  habit.  She  drew  it  forth  and  again 
opened  it,  casting  a  careless  glance  upon  the  leaves,  which,  to  her 
surprise  formed  a  manuscript  in  a  very  fair  (Jerman  hand.  It  was 
evidently  a  journal  whose  privacy  Ine/  meant  to  respect ;  but  she 
thought  it  no  harm  to  turn  over  the  leaves  more  with  the  view  of 
admiring  the  fine  writing  than  examining  its  contents.  Suddenly 
she  came  to  some  pages  written  in  excellent  English.  A  discovery 
Avhich  startled  her,  as  Arthur  had  confessed  to  her  that  he  was  in 
capable  of  reading  English  and,  consequently,  much  less  of  writ 
ing  it.  Besides,  the  English  of  the  diary  was  superior  to  the 
jargon  in  which  he  had  conversed.  What  could  it  mean?  Was 
this  book  after  all  not  Arthur's  property,  and  had  he  appropriated 
it  with  that  indifference  to  the  rights  of  others?  She  felt  now 
justified  in  examining  the  book  more  closely  and,  turning  to  the 
beginning,  commenced  to  read.  The  contents  seemed  to  captivate 
her  attention  from  the  start,  for  she  read  line  after  line,  page  after 
page,  far  into  the  small  hours  of  the  night,  and  never  <|tiit  until 
she  had  finished  the  diary.  Peeping  over  her  shoulder,  with  the 
privilege  of  the  author,  we  read  with  her  as  follows,  translating 
for  the  reader  as  we  go  : 

AxToNsurni-:,  May  the  1st,  1872. 

Having  determined  to  keep  a  journal  and  to  chronicle  in  it  tin- 
events  of  my  life,  T  begin  on  this  page  and  on  the  date  written 
above.  I  have  been  sixteen  and  am  as  happy  as  happy  can  be, 
which  is  not  very  wonderful  as  I  am  hale  and  hearty  and  have  the 
best  parent  in  the  world,  who  fulfills  every  wish  of  mine,  almost 
before  it  is  uttered. 

By  parent  I  mean  my  fosterfather,  Anton  Stamm  ;  for  I  have 
been  an  orphan  from  my  infancy,  my  parents  having  both  fallen 
victims  to  their  love  of  science.  To  explain  :  My  father  had  made 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  109 

several  journeys  of  exploration  into  the  interior  of  Africa  and,  on 
the  last,  contracted  a  fever  which  destroyed  his  life  on  his  return 
to  Europe.  My  mother  caught  the  fever  while  nursing  him,  and 
she  too,  succumbed  to  its  virulence,  leaving  me  an  orphan  in  the 
tenderest  infancy.  Thanks  to  my  fosterfather  I  have  never  felt  the 
want  of  parents,  although  I  can  not  deny  that  I  have  often  enter 
tained  the  ardent  wish  for  their  society.  I  need  not  state  either 
that  I  love  Father  Anton  with  every  h'ber  of  my  being.  Were  it 
otherwise,  I  would  surely  not  deserve  the  name  of  a  human  being. 

The  other  inmates  of  our  house  are,  Marianna,  the  house 
keeper,  and  Bertha  Stamm,  the  daughter  of  Father  Anton's  dead 
brother,  consequently  his  niece;  Father  Anton  is  an  old  bachelor, 
hence  the  necessity  of  a  housekeeper.  Marianna  is  a  dear  good 
soul,  who,  according  to  Father's  often  reiterated  assertion,  does  her 
best  to  spoil  rne.  She  knows  my  favorite  dishes,  and  is  not  slow  to 
let  me  benefit  daily  by  such  knowledge.  Bertha  is  fourteen.  She 
is  — ,  she  is  — ,  well,  she  is  Bertha,  that  is  as  near  as  I  can  come  to 
it.  She  is  not  amiable,  at  least  she  does  not  impress  me  that  way. 
She  is  very  reticent  aud  seldom  mingles  in  our  games.  She  is  very 
smart,  though,  and  far  advanced  in  knowledge  for  one  of  her  age. 
I  often  reproach  myself  for  not  liking  her  better  ;  but  what  can 
you  do  when  a  person  keeps  you  thus  at  bay,  as  it  were? 

Antousruhe  is  a  domain  of  great  beauty  and  value  which  has 
been  in  possession  of  the  Stamm's  for  many  generations.  It  is 

situated  on  the  banks  of  the  II  —  — ,  just  four  miles  from  K , 

the  capitol.  They  say  Father's  brother  was  a  great  spendthrift, 
whose  extravagance  came  near  ruining  him.  Indeed,  when  he  died, 
he  left  nothing  but  little  Bertha  and  debts  which  would  have 
swallowed  up  the  entire  estate,  if  a  noble  friend  had  not  come  to 
Father's  rescue  just  in  the  nick  of  time.  This  much  I  know  from 
his  own  lips  ;  but  who  this  friend  was,  I  have  never  been  able  to 
learn.  When,  years  ago,  I  made  the  inquiry  to  that  effect, 
Father  replied  that  an  oath  sealed  his  lips  to  the  day  of  my  major 
ity  ;  so  I  would  have  to  wait  until  then  for  the  satisfaction  of  my 
curiosity.  Since  that  I  have,  of  course,  made  no  further  attempt 
to  learn  the  secret,  if  such  it  is.  I  rather  like  this  touch  of  mys 
tery  in  our  family  drama  ;  it  brings,  as  it  were,  a  little  spice  into 
the  daily  routine  of  life.  Not  that  this  routine  is  unpleasant  in 


110  The  Treasure  of  'Montezuma. 

my  case ;  for  I  lead  the  jolliest  life  imaginable.  At  five  in 
Summer,  and  six  in  Winter  1  arise,  and,  after  a  cold  bath  all  over, 
saddle  Bucephlos  for  a  ride.  1  doubt  whether  Alexander  had  as 
much  right  to  be  proud  of  his  horse  as  I  of  mine.  He  is  certainly 
a  noble  animal,  and  quite  calculated  to  aid  me  in  the  attainment  of 
that  perfect  horsemanship  which  father  wishes  me  to  secure.  He 
keeps  a  superannuated  circus  rider  for  that  purpose  and,  if  Herr 
Btallmeister  Marx  does  not  flatter,  I  am  capable  of  performing  in  a 
circus  any  day.  Herr  Marx  is  also  an  athlete  of  considerable  merit 
and,  under  his  direction,  I  have  become  an  adept  in  the  art  of 
fencing,  boxing,  swimming  and  shooting,  and  so  anxious  indeed,  is 
Father  Anton  to  see  me  skilled  in  gymnastics  of  every  kind,  that  I 
have  asked  him  repeatedly,  with  a  laugh,  whether  he  intends  hiring 
me  out  to  Renz  one  of  these  days.  These  questions  Father  treats 
more  seriously  than  they  are  meant  and  makes  me  understand  that 
he  is  indeed  governed  by  a  purspose  which,  however,  must  remain 
a  secret  to  me  until  the  day  of  my  majority.  That  day  seems,  in 
deed,  destined  to  play  a  role  in  my  life,  and  I  hope  sincerely  I  shall 
live  to  see  it,  if  for  no  other  purpose  than  that  of  solving  this 
mystery. 

There  are,  moreover,  several  studies  which  Father  wants  me  to 
give  special  attention.  They  are  mathematics,  chemistry  and 
modern  languages ;  particularly  English  and  Spanish.  Fortunately 
my  desire  to  please  so  kind  a  father  is  backed  by  an  ardent  love  for 
the  very  branches  mentioned,  so  that  I  have  really  no  right  to 
claim  any  special  merit  for  excelling  in  them.  These  studies  and 
exercises  keep  me  pretty  busy  as  may  well  be  imagined,  and  time 
flies  so  swiftly  that  it  appears  to  me  more  like  a  dream  than  reality. 
At  any  rate,  the  momentous  day  of  my  majority  is,  indeed,  not  so 
very  remote. 

MAY  TIIK  10rn. 

Yesterday  we  had  a  visit  from  cousin  Philip  Grau,  who  come 
to  ask  whether  we  had  seen  anything  of  his  brother  Arthur,  who 
had  suddenly  and  mysteriously  disappeared  from  home.  This 
Arthur  is  a  pretty  wild  fellow  I  believe,  who  has  given  his  family 
a  great  deal  of  trouble.  Pie  not  only  shares  my  name,  which  we 
both  bear  in  memory  of  a  great  grandfather,  but  also  an  almost 
marvelous  resemblance  to  this  grandfather.  Indeed,  so  great  is 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  Ill 

this  likeness  that  our  most  intimate  friends  can  not  tell  us  apart 
when  we  stand  together.  Well,  this  alterego  of  mine  has  disap 
peared,  and  his  father  is  greatly  troubled  about  him.  I  am  sorry 
for  the  family,  for,  in  my  estimation,  they  are  very  worthy  people. 
Herr  Justizrath  Grau  is  one  of  the  leading  judges  of  the  kingdom, 
and  has  a  reputation  for  integrity  and  impartiality  which  extends 
over  all  Germany.  His  son  Philip  takes  after  his  father ;  indeed, 
I  know  of  no  worthier  young  man  amongst  all  my  acquaintances. 
At  school  he  was  a  model  for  the  rest  of  the  students.  He  did  not 
only  excel  in  scholarship,  but  his  conduct  was  so  marked  by  friend 
liness,  politeness  and  accommodation  that  he  was,  and  is  still  a 
favorite  with  all  who  know  him.  Even  Bertha,  who  is  so  cold,  and 
reticent,  seems  incapable  of  resisting  his  charms.  He  appears  to 
attract  her,  as  the  snake  is  said  to  attract  little  birds,  though  this 
smile  is  rather  lame,  as  cousin  Philip  is  anything  but  a  snake  and 
cousin  Bertha  far  from  being  a  helpless  little  bird.  I  wonder  if 
this  namesake  of  mine  will  turn  up  again  or  disappear  forever  in 
the  stream  of  time,  which  resistlessly  sweeps  us  on  towards  our 
final  destiny?  "  Quiensabe?"  as  the  Spaniard  says,  whose  lan 
guage  I  am  now  studying  with  so  much  pleasure.  I  can  hardly 
await  the  time  when  I  shall  be  able  to  read  Don  Quixote  in  the 
original.  Father  says  that  I  shall  travel  in  Spain  as  well  as  Eng 
land  as  soon  as  I  have  mastered  the  tongue  of  these  countries.  Is 
that  not  an  incentive  to  application  ?  If  not  please  to  name  me  a 
better  one. 

JUNE  THE  1ST. 

Arthur  Grau  has  not  returned  as  yet,  and  I  fear  his  friends 
have  pretty  well  abandoned  the  hope  of  seeing  him  again.  There 
was  a  rumor  that  he  had  embarked  in  Amsterdam  for  the  New 
World,  but  these  reports  are  so  vague  and  unauthenticated  that 
you  can  place  no  reliance  upon  them.  There  was  also  a  shadowy 
rumor  afloat  which  whispered  of  cruelty  on  the  part  of  the  father, 
showing  that  not  even  the  best  of  us  can  escape  calumny.  No 
doubt,  uncle  Arnold  showed  severity  to  his  son,  but  I  am  sure  such 
severity  was  called  for,  if  only  half  the  stories  circulating  about  my 
namesake  are  true.  With  this  remark  I  shall  close  the  subject  and 
turn  to  something  that  has  recently  engaged  my  attention  in  no 
small  degree.  Up  to  my  sixteenth — would  not  seventeenth  be 


112  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

more  correct? — birthday  father  Anton  had  kept  all  religious  instruc 
tion  from  me.  When  I  asked  him  why  he  did  so  he  replied: 

"  AVhen  you  fret  older,  you  will  thank  me  for  this  abstinence. 
I  want  you  to  he  able  to  judge  of  these  things  with  an  unbiased 
mind.  If  I  wanted  you  to  entertain  my  views  I  would  have  im 
pressed  upon  you  the  principles  of  the  free  thinkers,  while  my 
brother-in-law  would  have  made  you  an  orthodox  Lutheran.  Of 
course,  I  think  I  am  correct,  but  so  does  he,  and  I  have  lived  long 
enough,  my  boy,  to  learn  that  we  are  apt  to  err.  For  that  reason 
I  would  not  allow  any  doctrine  to  bias  your  mind  until  it,  is  capable 
of  forming  its  own  conclusions.  Here  is  the  history  of  the  princi 
pal  creeds  of  ancient  and  modern  times,  which  I  want  you  to  read 
carefully  ;  and  here  is  a  copy  of  the  bible,  certainly  a  remarkable 
book,  which  has  caused  so  much  bloodshead  in  the  world  that  I 
honestly  doubt  the  claim  of  its  adherauts  as  to  the  immeasurable 
blessings  it  has  bestowed  upon  the  world.  But  here  I  am,  preach 
ing  like  the  best  of  them  and  forgetting  my  resolution  of  not  bias 
ing  your  mind.  l\ead,  my  son  ;  read!  " 

And  I  did  read.  I  am  now  through  with  the  history  of  relig 
ions,  and  cannot  refrain  from  laying  down,  in  this  confidential 
friend,  the  principle  thoughts  awakened  by  this  perusal.  First,  it 
struck  me  as  remarkable  that  the  founders  of  religious  creeds  with 
out  exception,  claim  to  have  been  inspired  by  the  Divinity  whose 
laws  they  proclaim.  It  would  hardly  be  fair  to  brand  them  all  as 
imposters,  although  with  some  of  them,  as  in  the  case  of  .Joseph 
Smith,  fraud  is  too  evident  to  be  mistaken.  Hut  as  the  divine  laws 
which  they  promulgate  differ  widely  we  must  either  assume  that 
there  are  different  divinities  which  inspired  them  or  that  they 
were  not  inspired  at  all.  The  latter  assumption  is  more  rational 
and,  therefore,  probably  the  true  one.  We  read  of  other  hallucina 
tions  ;  why,  then,  should  we  not  meet  with  them  in  the  field  of 
theology?  I  suppose  all  men  agree  as  to  the  existance  of  some 
creative  force  or  agency  ;  but  of  the  nature  and  character  of  this 
agency  we  shall  forever  remain  in  the  dark.  The  human  mind,  so 
limited  in  its  scope  and  comprehension,  cannot  grasp  the  infinite 
and  sublime  as  the  conception  of  some  of  these  teachers  are,  we 
see  the  original  force  only  through  the  prisms  of  their  vi.-ions. 
Their  views  take  the  color  of  their  time  and  clime.  If  they  hail 


The  Treasure  of  Montemwa.  113 

from  the  icy  North,  their  conception  of  the  Godhead  is  stern  and 
rugged  as  the  region  in  which  they  grew  up,  although  they  may 
also  share  their  grandeur;  if,  on  the  other  hand,  their  cradle  has 
stood  under  a  tropical  sky,  their  religious  views  possess  all  the  fer 
vor  of  the  sun  of  that  latitude,  coupled  with  the  exhuberance  of  a 
brilliant  imagination  and  the  tendency  to  exagerate. 

I  said  that  the  views  of  the  religious  teachers  also  take  the  col 
oring  of  the  times  in  which  they  lived.  The  teaching  of  the  more 
ancient  ones  savor  of  the  ferocity  of  their  age.  Their  divinities 
have  in  some  instances  the  virtues  and  foibles  of  man  in  a  higher 
degree,  while  in  others  they  are  imbued  with  a  sense  of  justice 
which,  in  its  sternness,  savors  more  of  vengeance  than  equity. 
Only  in  the  instance  of  Jesus,  the  conception  rises  to  the  idea  of  a 
benevolent  father,  but  even  this  grand  Jewish  teacher  cannot  en 
tirely  free  himself  from  the  idea  of  the  Jehovah  whose  sense  of 
justice  must  be  satisfied,  though  it  be  at  the  expense  of  the  innocent 
for  the  benefit  of  the  guilty.  This  idea  is  shocking  to  me  in  the 
extreme,  and  reminds  me  of  the  nefarious  practice  of  former  cen 
turies,  when  scapegoats  were  kept  at  the  royal  courts  to  be  punish 
ed  for  the  faults  of  the  young  princes,  whose  noble  bodies  were  too 
sacred  for  the  application  of  the  whip. 

If  a  judge  would  carry  out  the  idea  of  such  justice  in  our  days; 
if,  for  instance,  he  would  permit  an  innocent  person  to  be  hanged 
instead  of  the  real  criminal,  he  would  soon  be  placed  in  a  tight 
jacket,  or  at  least  be  deprived  of  the  chance  of  committing  more 
such  enormities  ;  nor  would  the  plea  that  the  sacrifice  was  an  en 
tirely  voluntary  one  alter  the  case  at  all  in  his  favor. 

I  have  noticed,  thirdly,  that  a  nation  has  been  free  and  happy,  or 
wretched  and  oppressed,  in  proportion  to  the  influence  and  power  of 
its  priesthood.  The  Greeks  and  Romans  were,  in  a  measure  their 
own  priests,  and  therefore  comparatively  prosperous,  as  long,  at 
least,  as  they  preserved  their  original  simplicity  and  honesty. 
While  the  Hindoos  and  Egyptians,  on  the  other  hand,  groaned  un 
der  almost  unbearable  burdens,  imposed  by  their  priests,  who  were 
invariably  the  allies  of  their  despots  and  reveled  in  luxuries  while 
they  comforted  the  people  with  the  prospective  bliss  of  another 
world.  We  meet  this  phenomenon  even  in  the  Christian  church, 

8 


114  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

and  can  trace  the  poverty  and  wretchedness  of  a  nation  almost  uni 
versally  to  the  greater  or  lesser  influence  of  its  clergy. 

A  fourth  point,  and  the  one  which  has  staggered  me  most,  is 
the  horrible  chain  of  the  blackest  crimes  either  committed  at  the 
instigation  of  the  priesthood,  or  at  least  with  their  sanction.  It  is 
scarcely  necessary  to  enumerate  some  of  them,  for  they  form  the 
bulk  of  history ;  still  I  will  mention  the  persecutions  of  the  Christ 
ians  at  the  instigation  of  the  Roman  augurs ;  the  horrible  human 
sacrifice  of  the  Durids  ;  the  shocking  rites  of  the  Aztecs  ;  the  auto- 
da-fees  of  the  inquisition;  the  burning  of  hundreds  of  thousands 
of  old  women  as  witches  ;  the  cruel  crusades  with  their  atrocities ; 
the  thirty  years'  war,  from  whose  ravages  Germany  has  not  fully 
recovered  to  the  present  day  ;  the  massacre  of  St  Bartholomew  ;  the 
Sicilian  v,esper;  the  brutal  butchery  of  40,000  Albigenses  in 
southern  France  ;  the  expatriation  of  the  Puritans  ;  the  Morriscos 
and  the  Huguenots  ;  the — but  enough  of  this  horrible  record, 
which  is  sufficient  to  create  doubts  in  the  mind  of  the  most  credu 
lous  as  to  the  truth  of  the  teachings  eminating  from  men  who,  as 
I  have  shown,  raged  worse  than  tigers  during  ages,  un'il  tl  e  spirit 
of  a  more  enlightened  age  put  a  stop  to  their  fiendish  doings. 
These  words  awaken  a  thought  which  I  cannot  forbear  from  re 
cording  here.  I  have  often  heard  and  seen  it  claimed  that  we  owe 
the  present  civilization  to  the  churches.  Is  it  not  rather  true,  on 
the  contrary,  that  the  religion  of  the  present  day  owes  its  milder 
character  to  the  enlightenment  which,  as  history  undeniably  proves, 
it  has  done  its  best  to  retard.  I  think,  then,  that  I  can  safely  re 
cord  this  conclusion  :  that  religion  is  influenced  by  time  and  man 
ners,  instead  of  influencing  them,  as  is  claimed  by  its  propounders. 

But  does  it  follow  from  this  that  there  is  no  religion  ?  By  no 
means.  I  think  I  see  before  my  mental  eyes  a  religion  worthy  of 
the  noblest  aim,  gratifying  to  the  highest  ambition.  It  is  the  en 
deavor  to  become  wiser  and  better  every  day,  and  to  show  this  in 
crease  of  goodness  and  wisdom  by  our  unceasing  efforts  to  make 
our  fellow-men  happy  and  to  create  here  on  earth,  as  far  as  possi 
ble,  the  paradise  of  which  all  creeds  give  such  delightful  descrip 
tions. 

JUNE  THE  IOTH. 

I  shocked  father  yesterday  by  a  free  rendering  of  the  views 
expressed  above. 


The  Treasure  of  Montezumti.  115 

"You  may  congratulate  yourself,"  he  said,  laughing,  "that 
you  did  not  live  at  the  time  of  the  Inquisition,  which  you  criticise 
so  freely  ;  or  you  might  form  the  subject  for  one  more  auto-da-fe. 
Take  care  not  to  shock  uncle  Arnold's  nerves  by  too  bold  an  ex 
position  of  such  views,  or  he  might  berate  you  soundly,  and  tell 
you  that  you  ought  to  be  sent  to  a  reform  school,  and  I  to  the 
penitentiary  for  allowing  you  to  grow  up  in  such  shameful  ignor 
ance  of  the  true  principles  of  religion." 

"But  father, "  I  retorted,  " Do  you  really  think  it  wrong  to 
Utter  your  convictions  ? " 

"Wrong!  No  indeed.  I,  for  my  part,  know  of  no  meaner 
vice  than  hypocrisy  ;  but  it  takes  a  good  deal  of  moral  courage  to 
utter  thoughts  and  confess  convictions  at  variance  with  those  of  the 
majority." 

"  But,  I  thought  tliis  was  the  age  of  religious  liberty." 

"On  paper  —  yes.  In  reality,  a  person  who  dares  to  strike 
public  opinion  in  the  face,  by  venturing  to  differ  from  it,  is  pretty 
sure  of  being  ostracised." 

"  And  you  really  think  uncle  Ainold  would  be  so  intolerant  as 
to  blame  me  for  entertaining  views  forced  upon  me  by  study  and 
reflection  ? " 
,      "  You  try  him,"  was  the  dry  reply. 

I  am  now  reading  the  bible,  but  shall  abstain  from  making  any 
remarks  concerning  its  religious  character  until  I  have  finished  it. 
I  must  say,  however,  that  I  am  not  very  favorably  impressed  with 
the  chosen  people.  Perhaps  their  glowing  imagination  led  them  to 
fancy  themselves  in  a  box  where  they  had  no  business.  Father 
Abraham  may  pass  muster,  although  I  cannot  say  that  I  like  that 
expulsion  of  Hagar,  to  please  Sarah  ;  nor  do  I  think  he  acted  very 
honorably  in  Egypt,  when  he  lied  to  Pharaoh  and  was  the  cause  of 
the  latter's  getting  the  smallpox  or  some  disease  of  that  sort ;  but 
when  we  come  down  to  his  son  Jacob,  he  beats  in  trickery  any  one 
of  his  descendants  selling  second-hand  clothing.  Look  at  the  de 
ception  by  which  he  secured  his  blind  father's  blessing.  The  as 
sistance  of  his  smooth-tongued  mother  does  not  make  the  trick  any 
more  honorable,  and  it  is  a  real  pity  that  Esau  did  not  catch  him 
afterwards  and  give  him  a  sound  threshing.  The  tricks  he  played 
on  Laban  are  more  excusable,  for  the  latter  wasn't  a  bit  better,  so 


11  (i  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

they  played  tit  for  tat.  I  did  not  feel  very  sorry  for  him,  when  he 
had  the  misfortune  of  loosing  .Joseph.  It  looked  almost  like  retri 
bution.  Some  of  the  judges  I  like,  hut  others  surely  had  more 
muscle  than  brains  ;  especially  that  giddy  Samson,  who  was  a  great 
bruiser,  and  terribly  soft  in  the  bargain.  If  a  fellow  now-a-days 
would  get  his  Sunday  clothes  in  his  fashion  the  sheriff  would  make 
short  work  of  him  ;  but  I  guess  the  Philistines  were  then  held  in 
lower  estimation  than  they  are  to-day.  His  final  vengeance  was 
certainly  grand,  as  the  term  generally  goes  ;  though  what  grandeur 
there  can  be  in  causing  the  innocent  to  suffer  with  the  guilty  I  fail 
to  conceive.  What  shocks  me  most  is  the  evident  gusto  with  which 
the  inspired  (?)  writer  tells  the  story. 

Judith  is  another  of  the  Jewish  heroines.  She  has  nothing 
feminine  about  her — which  I  do  not  like.  She  may  be  very  brave 
and  all  that,  but  I  cannot  bring  myself  to  rave  about  a  bravery 
which  makes  it  a  point  to  slay  the  enemy  while  asleep.  There  is 
something  touching  in  this  succumbing  to  a  blind,  inexorable 
fate,  which  tastes  more  after  the  Grecian  and  Hebrew  mythology. 
I  can  imagine  I  hear  her  now,  singing  the  dirge  of  her  hopes  and 
expectations.  Samuel  is  the  last  and  craftiest  of  all  the,  judges. 
The  time  of  theocracy  is  past,  the  people  want  a  king  ;  a  logical 
step  towards  liberty ;  and  Samuel  grants  what  he  feels  powerless  to 
prevent.  But  he  chooses  a  king  whom  he  thinks  he  can  handle  as 
a  puppet.  In  this,  however,  he  is  mistaken  ;  Saul  feels  his  dignity 
and  wants  to  be  a  king  both  in  power  and  name.  At  first  Samuel 
remonstrates  ;  but  finding  all  his  efforts  fruitless,  he  rejects  Saul 
and  chooses  the  slippery  but  cunning  David  instead.  The  struggle 
between  Saul  and  David,  or  rather  Saul  and  Samuel,  is  one  of  the 
saddest  on  record.  The  silly  people,  not  yet  emancipated,  suffer 
themselves  to  be  terrified,  and  abandon  Saul,  whose  downfall  from 
that  moment  was  merely  a  question  of  time.  No  wonder  that  lie 
seeks  the  counsel  of  the  sorceress  ;  no  wonder  that  he  has  fits  of 
rage  and  jealousy  ;  I  liken  him  unto  a  man  who  has  entered  the 
rapids  of  the  Niagara,  with  a  sure  and  awful  fate  before  him.  If 
I  were  a  poet,  I  would  write  a  tragedy,  with  Saul  for  my  hero.  I 
already  said  that  David  was  by  no  means  a  man  after  my  heart.  A 
king  who  can  treat  a  brave  soldier  as  he  treated  Uriah  is  a  despot 
of  the  blackest  hue,  and  no  repentance  can  change  his  character. 


The  Tmiwre  of  Montezuma.  117 

True,  lie  did  repent,  but  his  selection  from  the  three  modes  of 
punishment  offered  to  him  shows  the  selfishness  of  the  oriental 
tyrant.  How  descent  from  such  a  monarch  should  be  considered  an 
honor  is  a  mystery  to  me. 

His  son,  the  proverbially  wise  Solomon,  is  not  a  particle  better ; 
for  in  his  old  age,  the  time  when  wisdom  ought  to  mature  and  bear 
fruit,  he  becomes  an  idolater  and  commit*  all  manner  of  folly. 
Perhaps  his  thousand  wives  are  at  the  bottom  of  this  ;  but  the  very 
taking  of  so  many  helpmates  is,  in  my  humble  opinion,  sufficient 
evidence  that  he  was  not  quite  so  wise  as  generally  reputed. 

After  Solomon,  the  history  of  the  nation  becomes,  with  a  few 
and  rare  exceptions,  a  slum  of  wickedness  and  depravity,  not  very 
creditable  to  a  people  of  such  high  pretensions.  Ten  of  the  tribes 
disappear  at  an  early  date,  never  to  come  forth  again,  and  the  re 
maining  two  eke  out  a  miserable  existence.  In  fact,  if  it  had  not 
been  for  later  events,  nobody  would  have  ever  taken  the  trouble  of 
studying  their  history,  manners  or  creed. 

In  the  new  testament  they  do  not  play  a  more  creditable  role. 
-They  are  represented  as  conceited,  loud-mouthed,  hypocritical  and 
blood  thirsty,  clamoring  for  the  execution  of  an  innocent  man. 

Fortunately  a  great  many  of  their  descendants  are  better  than 
their  ancestors,  and  their  fondness  for  traffic  and  speculation, 
together  with  the  thirst  for  mammon,  is  properly  to  be  charged  to 
the  malice  of  the  Christian  Nations  which,  for  many  centuries, 
persecuted  them  with  an  almost  fiendish  rescntfulness,  and  would 
not  allow  them  any  other  pursuit  than  that  which  has  in  modern 
times  become  so  very  profitable,  and  yields  them  the  riches  for 
which  the  world  now  envies  them. 

AUCIUST    THE    15TH. 

To  day  I  witnessed  a  pityful  seene.  As  I  returned  from  a  ride, 
I  saw  two  constables  eject  a  poor  family  from  a  wretched  tenement 
in  which  they  had  spent  the  greater  part  of  their  lives,  and  which 
had  become  dear  to  them  in  spite  of  its  squallor,  because  their 
children  had  been  born  there.  In  the  street  their  furniture  was 
auctioned  off  to  the  highest  bidder  to  satisfy  the  claims  of  the 
landlord  ;  a  rich  speculator,  living  on  his  rent-roll.  The  amount 
was  merely  trifling,  and  the  inability  to  pay  it  had  arisen  from 
sickness  and  a  business  depression  which  had  thrown  the  head  of 


118  The  Treasure  of  Montezinna. 

the  family  out  of 'employment.  I  had  enough  money  with  me  to 
satisfy  the  claim,  so  the  servant*  of  the  law  retreated,  leaving  the 
wretched  family  in  the  middle  of  the  road.  They  crowded  round 
me  and  thanked  me  with  a  cringing  humility  which  made  me 
angry  with  the  world  for  allowing  such  conditions  and  the  degrada 
tions  arising  from  them.  I  stopped  them  with  an  abruptness  which 
frightened  them,  and  then  inquired  what  they  meant  to  do.  Never 
before  had  I  seen  such  perfect  helplessness  and  indecision.  They 
had  not  the  slighest  idea  what  to  do  ;  a  state  of  mind  which  might 
have  made  me  impatient  if  I  had  not  asked  myself  just  then  the 
question  :  What  can  they  really  do?  Has  not  our  boasted  civili/a- 
tion  hemmed  them  in  on  all  sides,  and  thus  reduced  them  to  utter 
helplessness?  A  nice  state  of  affairs.  Here  is  a  man,  industrious, 
frugal,  skilled  in  the  work  which  the  world  has  allowed  him  to 
learn,  and  that  world  does  not  give  him  a  chance  to  earn  the  daily 
bread  for  his  family,  and  sanctions  lawrs  and  institutions  which  justU 
fy  the  taking  from  him  the  few  miserable  trifles,  necessary  for  the 
sustainment  of  life.  Is  there  not  something  fundamentally  wrong 
in  this?  Is  there  not  an  urgent  need  for  a  Messiah  wrho,  instead  of 
troubling  himself  about  the  affairs  of  another  world,  would  make  it 
his  business  to  improve  the  condition  of  this?  Oh  !  for  the  wisdom 
to  discover  the  proper  course ;  oh !  for  the  power  to  carry  it  into 
execution. 

Of  course,  I  did  not  make  these  reflections  just  then  or  there. 
These  poor  people  need  help  and  not  advice;  so,  after  reflecting  a 
moment,  I  bade  them  await  my  return  and  made  Bucephalos  do 
his  best  to  reach  Antousruhe,  where  I  found  father  Anton  return 
ing  from  a  tour  of  inspection.  I  stated  the  case  to  him  hurriedly 
and  closed  by  saying:  "I  knew  you  would  help  them,  father,  but 
thought  it  proper  to  inform  you  before  bringing  them/' 

"Thank  you,  for  your  good  opinion,  Arthur,"  he  replied  smil 
ing  at  my  ardor.  "  I  will  help  these  people,  but  the  sadness  of  the 
case  lies  in  the  fact  that  such  things  as  these  are  at  all  possible 
under  the  reign  of  this  boastful  Christian  civilization.  But  we 
must  not  waste  time  in  idle  speculations  now.  Go  and  bring  the 
people  here,  my  boy ;  I  shall,  in  the  meantime,  get  the  little  cot 
tage  at  the  end  of  yon  lane  ready  for  their  reception/' 

Good  father  Anton  !     I  gave  him  a  good  hug  for  an  answer  and 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  119 

then  galloped  away  to  bring  my  proteges.  I  had  been  in  such  a 
hurry  that  I  never  thought  of  procuring  the  means  of  conveying 
their  luggage ;  but  father  had  been  more  thoughtful,  and  before  I 
had  time  to  rectify  my  oversight,  Hans,  our  man  of  all  work,  ar 
rived  with  a  light  wagon,  on  which  he  soon  loaded  the  furniture, 
assisted  by  the,  owner,  who  was  so  deeply  grateful  that  he  could 
not  find  words  to  express  his  feelings,  for  which  I  felt  truly  thank 
ful,  as  I  still  harbored  a  grim  wrath,  not  at  the  man  but  at  the 
world  which  I  held  justly  accountable  for  such  a  state  of  affairs. 

We  soon  arrived  at  the  cottage,  which  had  been  prepared  for 
the  reception  of  the  exiles.  It  was  a  cosy  little  house  of  three 
rooms  and  a  finished  garret,  just  large  enough  for  the  family,  which 
consisted  of  the  parents  and  three  children.  When  father  saw  the 
rickety  furniture,  he  shook  his  head  and  said:  "why  good  people, 
this  will  never  do.  Arthur,  take  Hans  to  the  garret  of  the  man 
sion  and  fetch  some  of  the  furniture  piled  away  there.  It  isn't 
much,  goodness  knows,  but  still  an  improvement  on  these  ruins." 

I  did  not  wait  for  a  repetition  of  this  command,  but  rattled  off 
with  Hans  in  the  spring-wagon,  to  carry  out  a  commission  which 
vas  doubly  welcome,  since  it  took  me  to  the  old  garret,  a  favorite 
resort  of  my  more  youthful  days,  in  consequence  of  the  innumera 
ble  antiquated  treasures  piled  away  in  the  spacious  rooms.  Hans 
and  I  made  a  hasty  selection,  and  soon  had  the  wagon  loaded  with 
furniture,  dating  from  days  gone  bye,  but  sufficiently  grand  to  jus 
tify  the  assumption  that  it  had  once  adorned  the  apartments  of 
princes.  My  client,  whose  name  I  learned  to  be  Peter  Maurer, 
opened  his  eyes  to  their  full  extent  and,  having  by  this  time  re 
gained  the  use  of  his  tongue,  was  on  the  point  of  pouring  forth  his 
thanks,  when  father  cut  him  short  by  saying:  "All  right,  my 
friend,  we  will  consider  all  this  said.  Just  move  these  things  in 
and  when  you  have  everything  in  shape,  come  into  the  house.  We 
shall  in  the  meantime  put  our  heads  together  and  see  how  we  can 
best  contrive  to  put  you  on  your  feet  once  more." 

With  that  he  turned,  beckoning  Hans  and  I  to  follow.  Now, 
isn't  he  a  trump  of  a  father  ?  I  am  not  of  a  fighting  disposition, 
but  if  you  want  to  provoke  a  quarrel  with  me  just  begin  to  abuse 
him  and  you  will  reach  your  purpose  quicker  than  you  imagined. 


120  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

SEPTEMBER  THE  IST. 

Peter  Maurer  and  his  family  have  become  pretty  well  domiciled 
in  their  new  quarters,  and  prove  to  be  very  worthy  people  indeed, 
whose  only  fault  is  the  deep  humility  into  which  the  iron  heel  of 
the  world  has  crushed  them.  "Charity  always  has  that  effect," 
father  remarked  when  I  expressed  my  displeasure  at  their  exhuber- 
ant  professions  of  gratitude.  "If  you  really  want  to  help  these  peo 
ple,  give  them  the  opportunity  to  'help  themselves.  Utter  help 
lessness  destroys  manliness  and  engenders  this  cringing  humility  at 
which  you  so  justly  take  offense." 

Tn  accordance  with  these  principles,  father  Anton  has  given 
Peter  employment  on  the  domain.  He  proved  to  be  an  excellent 
wheel-wright,  and  has  been  given  the  commission  to  make  all  need 
ful  repairs  on  the  place  touching  his  trade.  If  he  is  to  be  believed, 
there  is  no  happier  mortal  living,  proving  clearly  that  happiness 
does  not  depend  upon  the  amount  of  our  possessions,  but  the  pro 
per  way  of  using  them.  Thus  one  poor  mortal  has  been  snatched 
from  the  path  to  ruin  ;  but  what  is  this  one  compared  with  the 
great  mass  of  Avretches  in  the  same  predicament  ?  Nothing  but  a 
drop  in  the  ocean.  This  thought  discourages  a  fellow,  and  brings 
back  the  often  asked,  but  never  answered,  question :  Is  there  no 
remedy  for  this  terrible  wrong?  For  wrong  it  is,  of  that  I  am 
fully  persuaded ;  a  wrong,  too,  for  which  the  entire  human  race  is 
responsible,  and  for  whose  commission  it  suffers  the  terrible  pen 
alty  of  its  own  degradation ;  for  as  father  said  graphically  this 
morning  :  "The  hope  of  the  favored  few,  that  they  will  be  able  to 
keep  from  the  contamination  of  a  degraded  rabble  is  altogether 
fallacious.  Man  is  a  social  being,  and  a  depraved  populace  will 
sooner  or  later  draw  its  leaders  into  their  own  slum.  You  never 
see  a  beautiful  and  healthy  head  on  a  leprous  body.  The  disease 
will  sooner  or  later,  but  invariably,  communicate  itself  to  the  head. 
.If  the  rich  and  powerful  would  only  think  of  this.  But  the 
trouble  is,  they  do  not  think  at  all.  They  are  so  engrossed  in  the 
pursuit  of  their  selfish  pleasures  that  they  forget  the  awful  truth 
above  enunciated,  to  say  nothing  of  the  equally  indisputable  fact 
that  a  degraded  and  abused  people  must  and  will  eventually  rise  in 
rebellion  and  involve  the  entire  community  in  the  most  dreadful 
political  and  social  convulsions." 


The  Treasure  of  Montrsuma.  121 

It  is  strange,  is  it  not,  that  people  should  be;  so  blind  to  their  own 
interests?  We  laugh  at  the  monkey,  who  cannot  extricate  his  hand 
from  a  narrow  necked  bottle,  because  he  refuses  to  let  go  the  rice 
he  holds,  and  thus  is  captured  ;  but  do  our  privileged  classes  show 
greater  wisdom?  I  doubt  it. 

OCTOBER  THE  IST. 

Fall  has  set  in,  and  with  it  great  activity  in  the  schoolroom. 
My  teacher  must  have  reported  rather  favorably  concerning  my 
progress,  for  father  has  manifested  his  approbation,  and  signified 
his  intention  of  sending  me  to  Spain  and  England  next  spring.  I 
expressed  the  hope  that  he  would  accompany  me,  but  he  shook  his 
head.  "It  will  not  do  to  keep  you  forever  in  leading  strings. 
You  must  learn  to  guide  yourself,  or  run  the  risk  of  running 
sooner  or  later  onto  sandbanks  and  wreck  your  ship  of  life.  I 
know  what  you  will  say,"  he  continued,  as  I  wanted  to  reply.  "My 
company  would  add  greatly  to  your  enjoyment  of  the  journey  ;  I 
have  no  doubt  it  would  ;  but  for  the  reason  stated  you  will  have  to 
forego  this  pleasure  and  weather  the  storms  of  the  world  alone  on 
that  occasion.  Besides,  I  want  you  to  add  study  to  pleasure,  and 
investigate  the  mines  and  gigantic  industries  of  England  on  that 
occasion,  a  circumstance  calculated  to  make  my  presence  an  ob 
struction." 

This  settled  the  matter,  and  I  shall  be  obliged  to  travel  alone  ; 
an  arrangement  which  displeased  me  doubly,  because  I  know  that 
father  would  have  enjoyed  the  trip  hugely,  and  only  decided  to  re 
main  at  home  for  reasons  of  expediency.  Bertha  is  as  cold  and 
reticent  to  him  as  to  me,  and  he  and  I  are  such  constant  companions 
and  so  harmonious  in  our  views,  aspirations  and  tastes  that  he  will 
miss  me  as  much  as  I  ,«hall  miss  him. 

JANUARY  THE  IST,  1873. 

A  new  year  has  set  in,  and  millions  have  undoubtedly  formed 
new  plans  and  resolutions  to-day.  Why  this  should  be  I  have 
never  been  exactly  able  to  understand.  I  suppose  the  thing  can  be 
chiefly  traced  to  the  feebleness  of  our  comprehension.  We  cannot 
grasp  the  thought  of  endless  space  or  time,  and  in  the  same  way  as 
we  absurdedly  call  this  little  speck  of  a  planet  "THE  WORLD," 
we  attempt  to  measure  eternity  by  years,  imagining  perhaps  huge 
stakes  driven  in  its  endless  track,  painted  in  fiery  red  or  glaring 


122  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

white,  to  enable  us  to  keep  our  punny  affairs  from  running  into  a 
chaotic  mass.  We  have  reached  one  of  these  convenient  time 
stakes  to-day,  and  it  behooves  me,  I  suppose,  to  follow  the  example 
of  my  fellows,  and  review  the  three  hundred  and  sixty-five  days  of 
the  past  year. 

I  have  been  unspeakably  happy ;  so  much  so,  in  fact,  that  I  fed 
a  slight  pang  of  conscience  at  the  thought  of  how  much  more  for 
tunate  I  have  been  than  millions  of  my  fellow-beings.  I  can  say 
truthfully,  however,  that  the  wretched  condition  of  so  many 
human  beings  has  been  one  of  the  bitterest  drops  of  gall  which 
have  trickled  into  my  cup  of  joy.  Father  Anton  is  a  nole  philan 
thropist,  and  it  is  his  thoughts  and  teachings  which  have  opened 
my  eyes  to  the  abnormal  condition  of  society.  Thanks  to  his 
efforts,  I  have  become  aware  not  only  of  the  dangers  threatening 
our  race  but  also  of  the  duties  which  such  a  recognition  imposes 
upon  us.  To  live  blindly  on  in  the  pursuit  of  selfish  pleasures,  heed 
less  of  the  awful  ruin  threatening  to  engulf  us  ;  acting  on  the 
shameful  principle  of:  "Apres  nous  le  dehtye,"  is  a  sin  so  monstrous 
that  all  others  sink  into  insignificance  in  comparison  with  it.  It 
will  just  as  surely  avenge  itself  as  the  wake  follows  the  vessel 
plowing  the  deep,  and  the  fact  that  this  vengeance  may  spare  this 
generation,  and  be  poured  out  on  the  heads  of  our  children's  child 
ren,  instead  of  making  us  indifferent,  ought,  by  its  awfulness,  to 
arrest  the  steps  of  rational,  thinking  beings,  and  fill  them  with  the 
one  great  thought  of:  "How  can  we  stop  this  reckless  course,  which 
must  inevitably  plunge  us  into  a  ruin  too  horrible  to  contemplate?" 

I,  for  my  part,  have  formed  the  resolution  to  devote  my  life  to 
the  study  of  this  great  problem.  Some  seek  fame  in  the  pursuit  of 
knowledge  ;  others  in  the  field  of  politics  ;  but  can  there  be  a  task 
so  glorious,  a  fame  so  dazzling,  a  vocation  so  satisfactory  as  that  of 
a  benefactor  of  the  race  ;  whose  name  unborn  millions  will  bless  in 
better  days,  when  man  has  clearer  perception  of  his  true  interest 
and  philanthropy  will  take  the  place  of  egotism  and  indifference. 

FEBRUARY  TITK  Isr. 

I  have  not  much  time  now  for  my  journal.  My  studies  multi 
ply  and  the  desire  of  mastering  Spanish  and  English  sufficiently  to 
make  the  prospective  journey  profitable,  taxes  my  endurance  really 
to  the  utmost.  Fortunately,  I  have  a  vigorous  constitution,  which 


The  Treasure  of  Monteztnua.  123 

gymnastics  have  developed  to  the  f  idlest  extent.  Father  will  not 
permit  me  to  abandon  them,  even  now.  80  I  have  to  take  my 
daily  rides  in  all  kinds  of  weather,  and  practice  in  the  gymnasium 
every  morning.  My  music  also  takes  much  of  my  time,  although 
I  consider  its  pursuit  rather  in  the  light  of  recreation  than  study. 
My  teachers  on  the  violin  and  piano  have  both  been  kind  enough 
to  discharge  me,  with  the  assurance  that  I  had  mastered  these  in 
struments  ;  but  even  if  I  take  their  kind  statement  as  unbiased,  I 
cannot  help  feeling  that  only  constant  daily  practice  will  keep  me 
at  the  top  of  the  ladder. 

Father  had  anticipated  much  pleasure  from  mine  and  Bertha's 
united  performances,  but  these  anticipations  have  proved  a  total 
failure.  There  is  absolutely  no  music  in  Bertha,  and  after  a  series 
of  futile  efforts  on  her  part,  she  had  to  give  it  up.  Of  course,  I 
do  not  blame  her  for  this  failure,  for  she  certainly  had  no  voice  in 
the  formation  of  her  talents,  but  I  cannot  help  feeling  sorry  at  the 
disappointment  of  Father  Anton,  whose  slightest  wishes  are  law 
for  me.  I  do  not  know  what  I  shall  do  without  him  during  my 
journey.  I  shall  certainly  write  him  long  daily  letters,  which  for 
a  while  must  take  the  place  of  the  diary,  the  writing  of  which  has 
been  the  source  of  so  much  pleasure  to  me..  My  departure  has 
been  fixed  upon  for  the  first  of  March,  and  I  am  to  go  to  Spain 
first,  on  account  of  its  milder  climate.  Father  thinks  that  the  heat 
of  the  Spanish  summer  will  prevent  close  application,  and  that  I 
had,  therefore,  better  spend  the  summer  in  England.  Well,  his 
will  is  law  ;  but  I  do  wish  I  could  persuade  him  to  go  along. 

FEBRUARY  THE  27Tii. 

I  have  just  returned  from   K ,  where  I  said  good-bye  to 

uncle  Arnold  and  cousin  Philip.  The  former  was  very  gracious  to 
me,  although  1  had  to  listen  to  a  long  sermon  on  the  duty  of  every 
young  man  to  become  a  member  of  the  church  which,  in  this  in 
stance,  means  the  Lutheran  Church.  I  did  not  wish  to  hurt  his 
feelings  ;  but,  in  my  estimation,  hypocrisy  is  one  of  the  meanest 
of  vices  ;  so,  I  could  not  forbear  from  telling  him  that  at  present 
my  convictions  forbade  me  from  taking  such  a  step.  Father  has 
wronged  him,  however,  by  thinking  he  would  scold  me.  He  merely 
expressed  regret,  spoke  of  the  conceit  of  youth  which  imagines 
itself  to  be  wiser  than  the  fathers,  and  expressed  his  conviction 


124  The  Trenwre  of  Monteziuna. 

that  this  proud  self  reliance  would  disappear  some  day,  and  give 
way  to  that  humility  which  recognizes  our  weakness  and  seeks  sup 
port  in  a  higher  strength.  I  really  think  uncle  Arnold  a  very 
worthy  man,  who  lives  up  to  his  convictions,  and  that  is  all,  in  my 
opinion,  that  one  ought  to  demand  of  an  honest  man. 

Philip  was  very  friendly,  gave  me  the  best  of  advice,  and 
warned  me,  jocularly,  to  be  careful  and  not  lose  my  heart  on  one 
of  those  pretty  maidens  for  which  Spain  is  so  noted.  Philip  has 
entered  the  diplomatic  career,  and  fills,  in  spite  of  his  youth,  such 
high  places  of  trust  that  his  advancement  to  the  first  positions  of 
the  Empire  is  only  a  question  of  time.  He  does,  however,  not 
share  my  social  vie\vs.  The  plebs.,  in  his  estimation,  are  only  fit 
to  be  ruled  and  must  be  held  in  their  place,  if  the  world  is  to  pro 
gress  at  all.  On  the  whole,  his  ideas  are  based  on  an  refined  egotism 
and  I  must  confess  that  they  struck  mo  unpleasantly  ;  but,  I  repeat 
what  I  said  Before:  I  believe  these  views  to  be  based  on  his  con 
victions,  and  while  I  regret  that  a  man  of  so  much  learning  and 
intelligence  should  be  so  blind  to  the  true  interests  of  his  race,  1 
acknowledge  that  he  is  as  much  entitled  to  entertain  them  as  I 
mine.  To-morrow  morning  early  I  am  to  start  on  my  tour  through 
France  and  over  the  Pyrenees  ;  so  good-bye,  my  diary,  for  a  while. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

LETTERS. 

At  this  place  the  journal  took  for  a  while  the  shape  of  letters, 
continued  for  a  number  of  days,  and  then  dispatched  of  favor 
able  opportunities.  We  have  no  room  to  insert  them  all  here,  but 
confine  ourselves  to  the  presentation  of  those  which  throw  light 
upon  the  character  and  mental  development  of  the  writer.  The 
first  one  explains  how  they  were  embodied  in  the  diary. 

MADRID,  April  the  1st,  187/5. 

Dear  Father  : — Here  I  am,  and  faithful  to  my  vow,  I  begin  the 
letters  in  which  I  shall  chronicle  the  impressions  received  by  the 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  125 

way.  Please  preserve  them,  so  that  I  can  afterwards  incorporate 
them  into  my  diary.  Of  one  thing  I  feel  now  assured  ;  there  is 
not  much  pleasure  or  benefit  derived  from  traveling  in  a  country 
whose  language  one  does  not  understand.  The  truth  of  this  axiom 
struck  me  forcibly,  before  I  had  been  two  hours  in  France.  "  But," 
you  will  remonstrate,  "you  understand  French."  I  beg  your 
pardon,  Father,  but  you  are  sadly  mistaken  ;  a  circumstance  so 
much  the  more  excusable,  as  even  I  have  been  laboring  under  the 
same  error.  Of  course,  I  can  read  French  pretty  readily,  and 
speak  it  sufficiently  to  avoid  the  danger  of  starvation,  but  when  it 
comes  to  understand  the  natives,  and  Jearning  something  about 
their  manners,  customs,  thoughts  and  pursuits,  i  find  myself 
sadly  deficient.  So  I  shall  make  it  a  point,  after  my  return,  to 
devote  the  same  zeal  to  French  which  I  have  hitRerto  bestowed 
upon  Spanish  and  English. 

You  will  now  understand  why  I  can  tell  you  but  little  of  the 
French.  It  is  true,  traveling  in  an  express  train  is,  even  under  the 
most  favorable  circumstances,  poorly  calculated  to  teach  one  so 
much  of  the  country  through  which  we  speed.  You  may  perceive 
that  the  landscape  is  lovely,  but  before  you  can  study  its  character 
it  has  run  into  another  of  a  different  type.  You  see  large  and 
populous  cities,  but  the  buildings  and  even  streets  run  into  one 
another  so  as  to  prevent  the  formation  of  accurate  perception. 
This  much,  however,  I  can  vouch  for  ;  France  is  a  rich  and  beauti 
ful  country.  I  was  impressed  by  the  solid  prosperity  displayed 
everywhere,  and  did  no  longer  wonder  at  the  rapidity  with  which 
the  French  paid  off  their  war  debt  to  Germany,  although  it  will 
take  her  a  good  while  longer  to  pay  back  the  loan  which  her 
patriotic  children  were  so  quick  in  taking  up  in  the  hour  of  her 
extremity. 

As  you  proceed  southward,  the  country  assumes  more  and  more 
a  southern  cbai'acter,  and  near  the  Pyrenees  you  perceive  many 
trees  not  found  in  Germany.  These  Pyrenees  are  truly  grand 
mountains,  and  though  the  railway  runs  in  the  valleys  and  through 
the  passes,  yet  the  temperature  became  considerably  lower,  and 
overcoats  were  quite  in  demand. 

Spain  is  perhaps  as  beautiful  as  France,  but  she  evidently  does 
not  husband  her  natural  resources  very  well.  The  houses  are  not 


126*  The  Treasure  of  Mbntezuma. 

so  large,  and  much  less  tidy,  excepting,  of  course,  the  churches, 
Avhich  are  indeed  magnificent  edifices,  excelling,  now  by  their  im 
mense  size  and  again  by  their  splendor.  On  a  footing  with  the 
churches  are  the  numerous  convents  and  monasteries,  which  are 
so  universally  located  in  the  most  charming  spots  that  the  taste  of 
builders  must  be  admired,  whatever  one  may  think  of  their  other 
merits.  Whenever  I  saw  a  rich  field  or  a  grand  old  forest  and 
asked  about  the  owner,  I  received  the  reply  :  "  Oh,  it  belongs  to 
this  order  or  that  religious  sisterhood."  I  may  be  mistaken,  as  my 
chances  for  observations  were  limited,  but  if  the  other  parts  of 
Spain  are  like  those  through  which  I  traveled,  the  best  portion  of 
the  country  must  be  in  possession  of  the  church  or  its  function 
aries. 

As  you  proceed,  the  crowds  of  beggars  increase,  until  they  at 
last  become  a  real  nuisance.  At  first,  the  traveler  feels  pity  for 
the  wretches  infesting  all  the  thoroughfares  and  public  places ;  but 
finally  either  his  purse  or  his  patience,  or  both,  become  exhausted, 
and  he  ceases  to  patroni/e  this  class  of  Spanish  gentry. 

Madrid  is  a  magnificent  city,  but  no  where  can  the  extremes  of 
great  wealth  and  filthy  wretchedness  possibly  be  more  strongly 
traced  than  here.  It  tells  the  sad  old  story  of  the  few  reveling  in 
wealth  and  the  great  mass  gnawing  the  bone  of  hunger.  Here  the 
ciyitrast  is  more  striking,  and  the  careful  observer  can  therefore  ar 
rive  at  conclusions  more  rapidly  than  elsewhere.  I  have  repeatedly 
asked  myself  the  question:  "What  is  the  cause  of  this  sad  phe 
nomenon  ? "  It  cannot  originate  from  the  climate,  for  Spain  was 
for  centuries  the  leading  nation  of  Europe.  It  was  perhaps  mis- 
goverened  ;  perhaps  the  immense  treasures  of  the  New  World  de 
stroyed  the  industry,  energy  and  enterprise  of  the  nation  ;  perhaps 
the  education  ef  the  people  was  neglected — purposely  or 
wantonly — who  knows?  At  all  events,  the  Spaniards  has  been 
compelled  to  take  a  back  seat  in  the  galaxy  of  nations.  1  am  too 
young  to  judge  correctly  of  the  real  causes,  nor  have  I  been  here- 
long  enough  to  be  entitled  to  venture  an  opinion  as  to  the  best 
remedy  to  be  applied  ;  but  this  much  I  know  :  If  there  is  any  part 
of  our  globe  where  reforms  are  sadly  required,  and  where  a  power 
ful  agitator  could  accomplish  marvels,  Spain  is  that  country.  Nor 
do  the  people  lack  in  intelligence.  There  is  a  vain  of  humor  run- 


The  Treasure  of  Monteziuna.  127 

ning  through  their  conversation,  although  this  humor  often  criti 
cises  their  own  wretchedness,  and  is  therefore  sad.  They  are 
shockingly  ignorant,  but  by  no  means  dull,  and  a  good  school  sys 
tem  would  soon  make  different  people  out  of  them. 

JULY  THE  IST. 

To-morrow  I  shall  leave  for  England.  I  can  truly  say  that  I 
leave  with  much  regret,  and  shall  surely  revisit  this  country  at 
some  future  time,  if  I  am  at  all  in  condition  to  do  so.  I  have 
learned  to  love  this  people ;  so  crude,  so  ignorant,  and  yet  so  docile 
and  intelligent.  I  have  made  several  trips  through  Spain,  and  thus 
seen  the  principal  parts.  The  same  splendor  of  the  rich,  poverty 
of  the  people,  and  general  indolence  prevails  everywhere.  Only 
here  and  there  I  noticed  praise-worthy  exceptions,  and,  strange  to 
say,  these  exceptions  could  be  traced  to  one  and  the  same  cause  or 
rather  man,  I  might  say.  In  some  of  the  rural  districts  there  are 
colonies  in  which  the  land  is  owned  in  common,  tiie  individual  pay 
ing  the  ground  rent,  as  it  were. 

These  colonies  have  all  of  them  excellent  schools,  from  which, 
to  my  great  surprise,  all  clerical  influence  is  strictly  and  jealously 
excluded.  The  pupils  are  taught  natural  science  and  mathematics, 
and  these  institutes  rank  high  above  the  average  public  school  of 
Spain,  and  yet  they  are  but  very  sparsely  frequented  by  outsiders. 
I  inquired  for  the  reason.  Some  colonists  would  whisper  in  my  ear 
that  the  clergy  of  the  surrounding  districts  are  greatly  opposed  to 
the  colonists,  as  well  as  their  schools,  and  that  they  have  to  suffer 
in  a  measure  from  the  ill  favor  with  which  even  the  government 
looks  upon  them.  Why  is  this  ?  Can  the  government  possibly 
dislike  these  silent,  and  yet  eloquent  reproaches  of  their  short 
comings  ?  I  asked  the  colonists  to  whom  they  were  indebted  for  their 
prosperity,  and  always  received  the  answer  that  a  certain  Sennor 
Grayo  had  granted  them  the  land  on  certain  conditions,  one  of 
whicli  they  should  never  own  the  land  individually,  but  only  col 
lectively,  and  that  the  schools  should  never  be  under  the  influence 
of  the  clergy.  The  deed  of  conveyance  was  so  strictly  drawn  that 
the  sligtest  violation  of  its  stipulations  was  sufficient  to  forfeit  the 
donation. 

"  There  is  no  danger  of  this  though,"  my  informant  said  with 
a  laugh.  ""VYe  are  now  so  deeply  impressed  with  the  excellence  of 


128-  Th*'  Trntsure  of  Montesuma. 

Sennor  Grayo's  institutions  that  we  would  sooner  forfeit  our  lives 
than  them." 

Then  I  asked  where  this  Sennor  lived,  but  learned  that  no  one 
knew.  He  had  been  there  years  ago,  but  had  since  that  time 
caused  himself  to  be  represented  by  a  gentleman  living  in  Madrid, 
who  pays  them  annual  visits  and  imparts  any  wishes  of  theirs  to 
the  Sennor.  I  then  asked  for  the  name  of  this  agent,  but  learned 
to  my  vexation  that  the  people  were  ignorant  even  of  his  name, 
not  because  there  had  been  any  secrecy  on  his  part,  but  they  had 
never  inquired. 

"But  you  surely  must  address  him  in  some  way  when  he  is 
here  ?  "  I  inquired. 

"  Oh,  yes,  we  call  him  Sennor  Kodrigo  ;  that  suffices  to  transact 
all  the  business  we  have  with  him." 

I  had  to  content  myself  with  this,  although  I  would  have  liked 
much  to  learn  more  of  a  man  who  seems  so  much  inclined  to  im 
prove  the  condition  of  the  people. 

Farewell,  beautiful  Spain,  I  wish  I  had  the  power  to  better 
thy  condition.  As  it  is,  I  have  nothing  for  thee  but  my  good 
wishes. 

LONDON,  August  the  1st. 

What  a  contrast.  One  would  hardly  believe  himself  on  the 
same  globe  if  the  testimony  of  his  senses  did  not  force  the  contrary 
conviction  upon  him.  In  Spain  everybody  indolent,  the  people 
generally  poor,  but  nevertheless  jolly  ;  here  everybody  restlessly 
busy,  as  if  life  depended  upon  the  extra  effort  ;  the  people1  hardly 
less  poor,  though  better  fed  and  clothed,  but  far  from  being  so 
jolly.  Even  the  aristocracy  of  England  differs  widely  from  that 
of  Spain.  It  is  not  only  much  more  educated,  but  also  more  alert 
to  the  duties  of  life  ;  yet  I  doubt  very  much  whether  they  are 
more  alive  to  the  one  great  duty  of  caring  for  the  true  interest  of 
their  fellowmen.  They  are  surely  better  qualified  for  comprehend 
ing  and  exercising  this  duty,  and  for  that  reason  doubly  pledged 
to  execute  it ;  but  their  own  extravagance  and  the  comparative 
ignorance  in  which  the  masses  are  allowed  to  grow  up,  condemn 
them  in  the  eyes  of  all  fair-minded  persons.  I  learned  to-day  that 
entire  England  is  owned  by  but  thirty  thousand  persons.  Can  this 
be  true?  Does  it  not  embody  an  iniquity  or  rather  injustice  un- 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  129 

speakable  ?  But  supposing  ray  informant  had  exaggerated,  and  it 
were  owned  by  sixty  thousand,  would  that  much  lessen  the  enor 
mity  of  the  case?  Just  think  of  it !  A  poor  man  can  have  no 
more  hope  of  acquiring  a  piece  of  land  in  England  than  he  can 
think  of  flying  to  the  moon.  To  attempt  the  former  would  be 
about  as  great  an  absurdity  as  to  attempt  the  latter.  And  yet  the 
sun  shines  upon  this  England,  though  feebly  it  must  be  confessed. 
And  the  good  people  bear  their  burdens  with  as  good  a  grace  as 
possible,  bow  beneath  their  loads  with  becoming  humility,  and  shout 
their  "  God  save  the  Queen  "  with  a  vigor  speaking  better  for  their 
lungs  than  their  understanding. 

I  found  it  much  easier  to  understand  the  Spaniards  than  I  do 
the  English,  a  circumstance  which  I  attribute  chiefly  to  the  horrid 
English  spelling.  The  Spaniard  has  only  one  sound  for  each 
vowal ;  the  Englishman  often  six,  and  the  word  is  so  differently 
pronounced  from  what  it  is  spelled  that  it  requires  a  good  deal  of 
practice  to  get  used  to  that  absurdity. 

I  have  been  here  three  weeks,  hut  i  cannot  say  that  I  like  the 
country  over  well.  By  "  country"  I  mean  the  people  as  well  as 
the  climate.  The  latter  is  truly  shocking  after  a  three  months'  so 
journ  in  sunny  Spain.  The  people  are  altogether  too  much  but 
toned  up  to  suit  my  taste.  I  verily  believe  a  fellow  might  starve 
in  the  streets  of  London  without  attracting  the  attention  of  any 
body,  excepting  those  charged  with  and  paid  for  such  things. 
Selfishness  seems  to  be  the  motto  for  everybody,  and  their  selfish 
ness  is,  moreover,  of  such  a  cold  and  clammy  character  as  to  make 
it  doubly  horrible  in  my  eyes. 

BIRMINGHAM,  September  the  1st. 

I  am  in  the  great  Iron  City  now,  and  must  confess  that  I  do  not 
like  it  any  better  than  London.  The  latter  illustrates  in  a  fright 
ful  degree  the  pernicious  tendency  of  our  times  to  congregate  in 
large  centers  ;  but  the  concentration  is  done  in  such  an  enticing 
manner  as  to  lull  our  fears  and  captivate  our  senses.  In  Birming 
ham  this  is  different.  Everything  there  is  grim  and  to  the  point. 
The  grinding  out  of  wealth  from  human  muscles  is  done  in  a  cold 
cynical  way,  shocking  to  behold.  We  see  these  thousands  of 
laborers  going  daily  to  their  task  with  the  knowledge  that,  for 
them,  it  means  nothing  but  :  HAMMER  !  HAMMER  !  HAM- 


ISO  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

MER!  STRIKE!  STRIKE!  STRIKE!  all  the  time,  with, 
perhaps,  plenty  of  breakfast  for  the  stomach,  it  is  true  ;  but  with 
few  or  none  of  the  intellectual  pleasures  which  make  life  worth 
living.  We  know  these  facts,  but  we  have  neither  the  time  nor 
the  courage  to  stop  the  injustice,  or  even  to  say  to  the  owners  of 
these  gigantic  establishments:  "  Stop  !  Don't  you  see  that  you  are 
harder  than  your  grindstones,  for  you  grind  down  human  life  while 
they  only  grind  steel  and  iron." 

MANCHESTER,  September  the  loth. 

Here  I  am  in  another  great  center,  only  that  it  is  not  a  metal, 
but  a  textile  center.  It  cannot  be  denied  that  there  is  something 
overwhelming  in  these  tremendous  concentrations  of  human  in 
dustry  and  energy,  only  there  is  so  much  misery  connected  with 
them  that  sadness  imperceptibly  tinges  our  admiration.  Here  in 
Manchester  you  can  see  all  the  materials  from  which  man  ever  wove 
textile  fabrics.  All  countries  and  zones  are  represented,  and  so  all 
machinery  invented  for  the  purpose  of  lightening  human  labor. 
Alas,  that  ought  to  be  the  purpose,  but  thus  far  machinery  has 
only  had  the  tendency  to  favor  the  great  capitalists  at  the  expense 
of  his  poor  competitor,  and  to  enhance  the  dangerous  concentration 
of  the  masses  in  few  places.  I  call  this  tendency  pernicious,  be 
cause  it  alienates  man  more  and  more  from  Mother  Earth,  and 
causes  him  to  lead  artificial  rather  than  a  natural  life.  As  long  as 
the  people  contented  themselves  with  tilling  the  soil  they  were  not 
so  apt  to  accumulate  large  fortunes,  but  they  were  on  the  other 
hand  not  subjected  to  the  frequent  ruinous  financial  convulsions 
which  now  shake  society  to  the  very  center.  They  were,  moreover, 
subject  to  the  ennobling  influences  of  nature  and  her  charmes  ; 
and,  after  spending  a  frugal  and  peaceful  life,  could  die  with  the 
comforting  conviction  that  they  had  been  as  happy  and  pure  as  in 
nocent  pleasures  could  make  them.  The  feverish  restlessness  which 
now  pervades  all  circles,  shortening  life  and  incapacitating  us  for 
its  enjoyment  while  it  lasts,  was  then  unknown.  True,  people  then 
transacted  less  business  in  a  month  than  at  present  in  a  week  ;  but 
is  it  the  amount  of  business  we  ought  to  aim  at,  or  the  most  judi 
cious  way  of  enjoying  its  fruits  ?  I  think  all  philanthropists  ought 
to  unite  in  powerful  effort  in  bringing  people  back  to  the  old  ways 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  131 

of  living,  which,  it'  less  exciting,  were  certainly  more  conclusive  "to 
true  happiness. 

In  England  such  an  attempt  would  be  almost  impossible,  for 
the  possession  of  the  land  by  a  diminutive  but  strongly  entrenched 
minority  renders  any  attempt  in  the  direction  of  such  a  reform  al 
most  hopeless  ;  but  there  are  other  countries  in  which,  fortunately, 
large  tracts  of  land  are  still  to  be  had  at  low  figures.  In  such 
countries  a  systematic  effort  should  and  could  be  made.  If  I  were 
a  millionaire,  I  would  buy  large  tracts  of  land  and  establish 
colonies  on  the  plan  of  Sennor  Grayo.  It  strikes  me  that  his  idea 
of  a  common  possession  of  the  land  is  correct.  Land  cannot  be 
made  by  human  industry,  and  ought  therefore,  not  to  be  owned  in 
dividually.  Yes,  if  1  had  my  say,  I  would  hold  out  great  induce 
ments  to  the  people  to  leave  the  crowded  manufacttiries  and  return 
to  a  more  natural  and  consequently  more  genial  life.  Apropos,  I 
have  found  traces  of  Sennor  Grayo  in  England  also,  although  here 
they  call  him  Sir  Grey,  which,  in  my  estimation,  is  merely  a  trans 
lation.  Last  week  I  spent  a  couple  of  days  at  a  little  village, 
Avhose  municipal  institutions  resembled  Senuor  Grey's  Spanish 
colonies  as  much  as  one  egg  does  another.  The  same  common 
ownership  of  land  ;  the  same  exclusion  of  clergical  influence  ;  the 
same  prosperity  of  the  colonists.  By  the  way,  this  Sir  Grrey  must 
be  a  real  Croesus,  for  he  has  bought  a  very  large  estate  here  for  a 
sum  surpassing  by  far  the  means  of  a  man  of  moderate  wealth. 
Here,  as  in  Spain,  there  is  much  opposition  to  the  scheme  in  the 
neighborhood,  although  this  opposition  emanates  from  the  monied 
classes.  They  fear  probably  the  practical  illustration  and  execution 
of  ideas  detrimental  to  their  exclusive  possession  of  the  soil,  and 
therefore  endeavor  to  excite  the  alarm  of  the  conservative  elements 
against  the  innovation.  Here  the  colonists  are  more  practical  than 
in  Spain,  and  therefore,  better  able  to  give  information  concerning 
Sir  Grey.  True,  they  know  little  or  nothing  about  him,  personally  ; 
for  he  has  not  been  in  England  for  several  years  ;  but  they  could  at 
least  tell  me  that  he  has  a  house  in  London,  at  Hampton  Court, 
and  that  his  agent  can  be  found  there  at  all  times.  I  shall  not  fail 
to  pay  him  a  visit  on  my  return  to  London,  for  I  feel  a  deep  in 
terest  in  a  man  of  such  benevolent  views.  When  he  learns  my 
motive  for  molesting  him,  he  will  surely  pardon  my  intrusion. 


132  The  Treasure  of  Montezama. 

GLASGOW,  October  the  1st. 

I  arrived  at  this  great  industrial  ship-building  center  two  days 
ago.  I  have  already  expressed  my  opinion  concerning  such  centers, 
and  need,  therefore,  not  repeat  them  at  this  place  ;  but  I  cannot 
help  expressing  once  more  my  admiration  for  the  grand  practical 
result  of  such  combinations.  We  undoubtedly  owe  almost  all 
modern  achievements  to  this  tendency  of  uniting  efforts,  and  it 
must  also  be  admitted  that  the  purposes  of  these  combinations  are 
more  rational  than  those  of  old.  We  had  such  combinations  even 
as  early  as  the  days  of  Sesostris  and  Rameses,  and  the  Pyramids  of 
Egypt  are  proofs  thereof,  although  it  is  more  than  likely  that  these 
ancient  combinations  were  the  result  of  despotic  dictates,  and  not 
voluntary  unions.  It  is,  in  reality,  not  the  corporations  but  their 
abuses  against  which  we  ought  to  guard.  At  present  they  have 
abandoned  their  legitimate  province  and,  by  selfish  greed  and 
criminal  egotism,  become  inimical  instead  of  condusive  to  the  com 
mon  welfare. 

The  Scotch  are  a  sober,  industrious  and  hospitable  people  ;  but 
they  are  singularly  fanatical  in  their  religious  views  for  so  sensible 
a  nation.  The  observance  of  the  Sabbath  is  carried  to  ridiculous 
extremes.  They  hardly  cook  or  do  other  domestic  work  on  Sunday, 
and  seem  entirely  to  forget  the  great  truth  which  the  founder  of 
Christianity  endeavored  to  inculate  in  His  followers,  namely,  that 
"man  is  not  made  for  the  Sabbath,  but  the  Sabbath  for  man." 
His  disciples  do  not  seem  to  have  been  capable  of  freeing  them 
selves  from  the  idea  of  the  old  Jewish  Sabbath,  and  thus  we  have 
now  the  lamentable  fact  that  fanatics  and  hypocrits  do  their  best  to 
deprive  the  people  of  the  benificent  influence  of  the  only  day  of 
rest  they  possess.  In  this  respect  the  Spaniards  are  far  ahead  of 
their  northern  brethern.  They  wisely  use  Sunday  as  a  day  of  rec 
reation,  recognizing,  perhaps,  the  absurdity  of  the  idea  that  the 
Divinity  which  they  worship  could  be  pleased  and  influenced  by 
the  observance  of  certain  days  or  ceremonies.  Whatever  His 
nature  may  be,  I  feel  confident  that  He  cannot  be  swerved  from 
His  purpose  by  human  supplications,  or  pleased  by  adoration. 
Such  would,  indeed,  be  the  trait  of  an  Oriental  despot  who,  I  fear, 
sat  as  a  pattern,  when  the  ancient  founders  of  creeds  modeled  their 
great  creative  cause. 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  133 

LONDON,  NOVEMBER  IST. 

Here  I  am  once  more  in  the  great  modern  Babel,  where  the 
confusion  of  tongues  is  probably  as  great  as  in  that  of  ancient  times. 
They  do  not  build  a  tower  now  reaching  into  heaven,  but  they  come 
mighty  near  it.  Indeed,  the  works  of  modern  engineering  far 
outstrip  those  of  antiquity,  and,  if  we  would  enumerate  them  all 
as  wonders,  we  would  have  a  long  list  to  remember. 

London  is  another  place  where  the  widest  extremes  touch  one 
another.  Such  colossal  wealth  on  one  hand,  and  such  degrading 
poverty  on  the  other,  are  crying  monuments  of  shame  of  the  selfish 
ness  of  our  age ;  though  it  must  be  admitted  that  it  is  less  the  indi 
vidual  depravity  of  our  millionairs  than  a  faulty  principle  under 
lying  our  social  structure  which  is  to  be  blamed.  It  cannot  be  de 
nied  that  the  greatest  progress  now-a-days  is  inseparably  united 
with  the  most  abject  poverty.  If  it  is  really  true  that  such  a  com 
bination  is  an  unavoidable  and  logical  necessity,  I  cannot  help 
uttering  the  fervent  wish  that  such  cruel  progress  may  speedily 
come  to  an  end. 

I  called  to-day  at  the  residence  of  Sir  Grey,  but  received  the 
unwelcome  reply  that  Mr.  Braun,  the  agent,  is  at  present  on  the 
Continent  and  not  expected  back  for  two  weeks.  As  I  shall  leave 
England  to-morrow,  I  shall  have  to  forego,  at  present,  the  pleasure 
of  learning  more  of  a  person  so  well  worthy  of  a  more  intimate  ac 
quaintance.  On  the  occasion  of  my  call  at  Hampton  Court,  I  met 
with  and  old  German  who,  on  learning  my  name,  became  visibly 
agitated,  and  then  told  me  that  he  had  known  my  father  and  was 
well  acquainted  with  father  Anton  Stamm.  He  seemed  inclined  to 
be  communicative,  and  yet  afraid  to  speak  freely  about  Sir  Grey. 
When  I  left,  he  asked  me  where  I  might  be  found  and,  on  learning 
the  name  of  my  hotel,  asked  my  permission  to  pay  me  a  visit  be 
fore  my  departure.  This  I  granted  with  pleasure,  but  up  to  this 
late  hour,  10  o'clock  P.  M.,  I  have  not  seen  the  old  fellow,  whose 
name  I  forgot  to  ascertain  in  the  hurry. 


134  The.  Treasure  of  Montezinna. 

CHAPTER  XV. 

HOME,   SWEET  HOME. 

Here  the  letters  come  to  an  end.  We  fear,  the  reader  will  have 
found  them  less  enticing  than  Inez;  but  he  must  remember  the 
powerful  effect  of  the  revelations  which  their  perusal  caused  to  How 
upon  her  in  a  continued  stream.  We  have  too  good  an  opinion  of 
the  reader's  intelligence  to  offer  any  explanations  at  this  place 
and,  looking  once  more  over  the  shoulder  of  the  fair  girl,  we  read: 

ANTONSIIPVUE,  NOVEMKER  THE  2OrH. 

Home  again !  What  a  volume  in  a  few  words.  Much  as  I  en 
joyed  my  journey,  the  sensations  which  now  fill  my  breast 
are  infinitely  the  sweeter.  I  have  been  at  home  a  week,  and  the 
feelings  of  rapture  which  at  first  ran  riot  are  gradual!}  calming 
down  to  a  delightful  stillness,  Of  course,  the  welcome  of  my 
father  was  all  I  could  anticipate.  Aunt  Mariamia  wras  hardly  less 
demonstrative  in  her  satisfaction  and  has  ever  since  given  me 
practical  proofs  of  it  in  the  shape  of  cakes  and  SAveetmeats.  Even 
Bertha  was  a  little  more  accessible,  although  she  has  long  since  re 
lapsed  into  her  customary  reticence.  Peter  Maurer  and  his  family 
would  undoubtedly  have  been  loud  and  noisy  in  their  tokens  of 
affection  if  they  had  not  learned  by  this  time  that  I  dislike  such 
gushing  outpourings,  and  are  altogether  too  grateful  for  what  little 
I  have  been  able  to  do  for  them  to  do  anything  calculated  to  dis 
please  me.  I  am  glad  to  see  that  the  entire  family  continues  to  re 
ceive  father's  approbation.  I  have  heard  him  say  that  he  was  glad 
of  the  misfortune  which  brought  the  family  to  the  farm,  not  only 
for  their  sake,  but  for  his  own.  Christina,  the  oldest  daughter,  has 
proved  an  excellent  assistant  in  the  garden,  and  keeps  the  flower 
and  kitchen  gardens  so  scrupulously  clear  of  weeds  and  caterpillers 
that  she  has  made  a  complete  conquest  of  father.  Mrs.  Maurer 
assists  Marianna  in  cases  of  necessity,  and  does  the  work  assigned 
her  so  efficiently  and  expeditiously  that  the  spinster  declares  she 
can  breathe  more  freely  in  the  consciousness  of  such  reliable  help. 
So  you  see  that  virtue  sometimes  brings  its  own  reward,  even  in 
this  world,  though  I,  for  my  part,  could  never  understand  that 
there  is  much  merit  in  a  goodness  whose  motive  is  the  expectancy 


The  Treasure  of  Monteztima.  135 

of  a  future  reward ;  or,  for  that  matter,  the  fear  of  the  devil, 
either.  It  is  interesting  to  trace  the  history  of  his  Satanic  Majesty 
from  the  earliest  ages.  At  first  people  seem  to  have  considered  the 
power  of  the  good  and  evil  spirit  about  even,  for  they  worshipped 
the  former  to  gain  his  protection  and  the  latter  to  escape  his  wrath. 
Gradually,  but  rather  illogically,  the  good  spirit  is  given  the 
ascendancy,  but,  strange  to  say,  the  devil  is  still  to  be  feared.  It 
.strikes  me  that  the  church  invented  this  drastic  figure  much  for  the 
same  purpose  that  parents  invented  the  Belznickle,  i.  e.  frighten 
ing  big  children  into  obedience.  I  sincerely  doubt  the  propriety  of 
such  expedients,  but  will  let  it  pass  for  the  dark  and  uncouth  ages; 
but  how  sensible  people  of  our  age  can  stulify  themselves  by  con 
tinuing  to  teach  a  devil  passes  my  comprehension.  I  marvel  how 
they  can  reconcile  the  idea  of  a  just  God  with  that  of  a  malignant 
being  wlio  takes  delight  in  destroying  creatures,  owing  their  exis 
tence  to  the  former,  who  knows  the  danger  to  which  they  are  con 
stantly  exposed  and  yet  suffers  this  malignant  being  or  spirit 
to  exist  and  proceed  unchecked  with  his  nefarious  operations.  If 
a  human  being  were  guilty  of  such  ambiguous  conduct,  he  would 
not  only  not  receive  the  attributes  of  the  just  and  kind,  but  be  taken 
to  task  and  properly  berated.  Nor  can  the  degree  of  the  quality 
change  the  matter  in  my  opinion.  I  know  many  persons  who  will 
pronounce  these  words  impious,  but  never  stop  to  ask  themselves 
whether  their  own  ideas  of  the  creative  power  might  not  possibly 
be  erroneous.  It  is  so  much  easier  to  abuse  and  condemn  than  to 
refute  that  one  ought  really  not  to  wonder  at  such  inconsistency. 

My  studies  will  soon  begin  again  in  good  ernest,  although  they 
must,  of  necessity,  change  in  character.  English  and  Spanish  have 
indeed,  ceased  to  be  studies  for  me.  I  think  I  can  truthfully  say- 
that  I  speak  them  both  with  ease  and  facility  ;  all  that  is  necessary 
in  regard  to  them  is  to  keep  up  my  practice.  With  English  this 
will  not  be  difficult,  since  there  are  many  English  families  residing 
here,  who  are  kind  enough  to  converse  with  me  as  much  as  I  want. 
As  to  Spanish,  matters  are  a  little  more  difficult,  and  I  have  there 
fore  resolved  to  learn  Don  Quixote  by  heart,  a  page  at  a  time. 

APRIL  THE  IST,  1884. 
The  winter  has  passed  ;  and  oh  !  how  quickly  has  it  slipped 


Io6  The  Treasure  of  Monteziuim. 

away.  I  have  given  chemistry  and  mathematics  the  lion's  share  of 
ray  attention,  and  derived  so  much  pleasure  from  the  pursuit  that 
I  can  hardly  call  it  study.  Nor  is  this  a  wonder.  Father  puts  the 
theory  of  the  books  at  once  into  such  delightful  practice,  by  the 
buying  or  building  of  the  machinery  on  which  they  treat ;  or  in  the 
case  of  chemistry,  by  the  preparation  of  all  the  articles  discussed, 
that  only  a  vandal  could  keep  from  feeling  the  deepest  interest  in 
the  proceedings.  Father  has  caused  a  labratory  to  be  erected,  and 
there  are  few  salts  and  acids  which  I  have  not  prepared  with  my 
own  hands.  In  the  machine  shop  Peter  Maurer  plays  an  important 
role.  True,  he  does  not  understand  all  the  principles  governing 
the  construction  of  machinery,  but  he  is  very  practical,  and  learns 
with  a  rapidity  highly  gratifying.  It  must  surely  cost  father  a 
great  deal  of  money  to  indulge  me  in  these  and  many  other  expen 
sive  things ;  but  I  can  do  nothing  more  than  receive  them  with  a 
grateful  spirit,  for,  when  I  once  broached  the  subject,  lie  smiled 
and  said  earnestly : 

"  Do  not  allow  this  to  worry  you.  You  owe  me  no  thanks 
whatever,  and  when  you  learn  all — 

He  stopped  short,  and  as  I  knew  that  it  would  be  idle  to  press 
him  in  such  matters,  I  desisted  and  have  not  renewed  my  attempt 
since.  When  I  refered  to  Sir  Grey,  a  strange  smile  played  on  his 
face. 

"  Why,"  he  said,  "he  has  similar  colonies  in  Germany.  Didn't 
you  know  that?" 

"  Not  a  word.     And  where  are  they,  pray  ?" 

"One  in  Pomerania,  a  second  one  in  Moravia  and  a  third  in 
Wirtemberg." 

"  So  near?  It  is  certainly  strange  that  you  never  told  me 
about  them." 

"  Well,  not  so  strange  perhaps,"  he  said  pensively.  "There 
are  so  many  things  to  be  learned,  you  know,  that  some  must  needs 
be  delayed. 

"But  won't  you,  please,  take  me  there  some  day?  I  am  very 
anxious  to  know  more  about  this  wonderful  man." 

Father  smiled  and  said  he  would  and  then  the  subject  was 
dropped.  Recently,  at  the  instigation  of  father,  I  have  begun  the 
study  of  political  economy.  What  a  grand  subject;  in  comparison 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  137 

with  which  all  other  studies  sink  into  utter  insignificance.  One 
might  properly  call  it  the  study  of  material  prosperity  of  the  peo 
ple.  It  may  be  well  enough  to  attend  to  the  spiritual  prosperity, 
with  reference  to  a  future  condition,  if  such  there  be :  but  when  a 
person  or  creed  exalts  the  latter  at  the  expense  of  the  former ;  when 
he  or  it  offers  the  shadow  for  the  substance,  and  tries  to  lull  the 
people  into  an  unmanly  endurance  of  injustice  and  oppression,  in 
pointing  out  the  prospects  of  a  future  bliss  meeted  out  in  just  pro 
portion  to  the  earthly  privations,  set  that  person  or  creed  down 
as  a  foe  to  the  human  race. 

How  careful  a  person  ought  to  be  in  advancing  a  theory  in  this 
science  !  A  theory  which,  if  once  accepted  as  true  and  yet  is 
erroneous,  may  plunge  millions  more  deeply  into  misery,  instead  of 
extricating  them.  That  some  of  the  principles  now  generally  ac 
cepted  as  true  are  indeed  false  is  evident  ;  else  the  human  family 
would  not  be  in  so  wretched  a  condition,  which  becomes  even  more 
wretched  as  our  apparent  progress  goes  on.  Oh,  for  the  teacher 
that  could  point  out  to  us  the  right  direction  to  pursue  ;  yes,  that 
could  only  awaken  the  prosperous  but  thoughtless  minority  to  the 
fact  that  they  are  standing  on  a  volcano,  which  may  not  explode 
to-day  or  to-morrow,  but  the  eruption  of  which  will  certainly  some 
day  hurl  them  to  an  awful  destiny. 


Our  space  does  not  permit  us  to  give  the  diary  in  full.  We 
omit  three  years  and  turn  to  January  the  1st,  1877,  as  the  date  on 
which  to  resume  the  perusal.  We  may,  however,  state  in  a  few 
words  that  Arthur  Grau  continued  his  studies  on  the  judicious  plan 
which  we  have  seen  traced  out  in  the  preceding  pages.  If  costly, 
it  is  surely  an  efficient  one,  and  resulted  in  procuring  for  our  young 
friend  an  education  as  broad  as  it  was  thorough.  He  paid  his  chief 
attention  to  the  mastery  of  chemistry,  in  its  broadest  sense,  and 
mathematics,  applied  to  engineering,  building  of  bridges,  tunnels, 
railroads  and  the  like.  He,  moreover,  was  a  master  on  several  in 
struments,  and  could  speak  three  foreign  languages  with  the  readi 
ness  of  a  native.  We  shall  hereafter  find  time  to  say  a  few  words 
on  education,  and  then  prove  that  it  requires  no  extraordinary  in 
telligence  to  master  all  the  branches  above  indicated,  if  only  the 


138  The  Treasure  of  •  Montezuma. 

proper  mode  of  instruction  is  pursued.     But  enough  of  our  own 
words.     A\Te  give  room  to  Arthur  to  finish  his  journal. 

AxTOXsurHK,  January  the  1st,   1-S7T. 

I  have  now  finished  my  studies,  as  the  saying  is  ;  but  how 
erroneous  is  this  saying.  Before  me  lies  the  big  school  of  the 
world,  in  which  I  will  soon  be  asked  to  show  whether  my  training 
in  the  elementary  school  is  worth  anything  at  all.  On  the  first  day 
of  April  1  shall  be  twenty-one,  and  thus  entitled  to  receive  the  in 
formation  to  which  Father  Anton  has  pointed  so  frequently,  and 
for  which  I  have  waited  so  patiently  ;  nay,  let  me  be  honest  and  say 
impatiently.  For  the  fact  that  these  revelations  will  be  matters  of 
no  small  moment  the  character  of  father  is  a  sufficient  guarantee. 
But  to  speculate  on  their  nature  would,  of  course,  be  more  thar 
idle,  so  I  must  make  a  virtue  of  necessity  and  arm  myself  with  a 
philosophical  indifference,  which  I  am  far  from  feeling.  Father 
says  that  I  am  to  start  on  a  great  jorney — nay,  voyage — from  which 
I  assume  that  he  intends  to  send  me  across  the  ocean.  I  asked  him 
whether  he  meant  to  accompany  me,  to  which  he  shook  his  head, 
adding, however :  "I  may  possibly  soon  join  you  in  the  place  where 
you  are  going.  Yes,  I  may  hold  out  the  prospect  that  I  shall  be 
there  very  soon,  but  to  speak  definitely  is  beyond  my  power." 

MARCH  THE  31sT,  10  O'CLOCK  P.  M. 

What  wonderful  information  I  have  received  this  evening,  and 
yet  it  is  merely  an  introduction  to  what  to-morrow  will  bring. 
After  supper,  father  called  me  into  his  study,  bade  me  take  a  chair, 
and  proceeded  as  follows  : 

"Arthur,  to  morrow  you  are  twenty-one,  and  I  may  as  well  give 
you  now  such  information  as  will  prepare  you  for  the  communica 
tions  1  shall  have  to  make  to-morrow.  In  doing  this,  I  shall  have 
to  step  from  the  exalted  pedestal  I  have  until  now  occupied  in  your 
estimation  ;  but  I  trust  that  even  when  you  learn  that  I  have 
been  merely  the  agent  of  another,  you  will  nevertheless  continue 
to  love  me  as  of  old.  To  make  you  understand  what  I  shall  tell 
you,  I  will  have  to  go  back  to  the  period  of  your  infancy.  It  is 
now  about  nineteen  years,  and  I  was  sitting  in  this  self-same  chair, 
when  suddenly  the  door  opened  and  a  man  muffled  in  a  large  cloak 
stepped  into  the  room.  He  wore  a  slouched  hat  with  a  wide  rim, 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  Io9 

and  this,  together  with  the  dusk  of  evening,  which  was  fast  settling 
upon  the  region,  prevented  me  from  recognizing  the  sti'anger.  It 
was  only  when  a  well-known  voice  accosted  me  with:  "Guten 
Abend,  Anton  ;  "  that  I  recognized  the  visitor. 

"  Good  Heavens,  Herbert  Grau  !  "  I  cried  with  a  mixture  of 
delight  and  consternation,  and  then  springing  to  my  feet,  rushed 
upon  the  new-comer  and  drew  him  into  an  ardent  embrace.  To 
understand  my  feelings,  you  must  know  that  the  stranger  was  my 
dearest  friend,  but  then  an  exile  from  his  native  country.  He  had 
taken  an  active  part  in  the  revolution  of  '48,  been  captured,  court- 
martialed  and  sentenced  to  be  shot,  which  cruel  fate  he  escaped, 
however,  by  flight." 

"  Oh,  yes  !"  I  interrupted  ;  "  I  know  all  about  that,  for  cousin 
Philip  told  me  more  than  once  uncle  Arnold  knew  some  secret 
passage  of  this  mansion  where  he  was  imprisoned,  and  in  that  way 
helped  him  to  escape." 

"At  these  words  an  expression  of  ferocity,  such  as  I  had  never 
seen  before,  passed  over  father's  face.  Before  I  could  recover  f rom 
my  astonishment  at  this  manifestation  of  deadly  hostility  in  one 
genenerally  so  gentle,  father  replied:  "We  all  thought  so  fora 
while,  and  gladly  would  I  have  given  a  year  of  my  life  for  a  con 
tinuation  of  such  belief ;  for  the  revelation  which  destroyed  it  also 
destroyed  faith  in  human  nature.  I  hate  to  disclose  to  your  youth 
ful  eyes  a  picture  of  such  black  depravity,  but  the  necessity  of 
self  defense,  to  which  you  yourself  may  be  forced  some  day,  in 
duces  me  to  overcome  my  repugnance. 

"For  five  years  we  all  considered  Arnold  Grau  the  disinterested 
saviour  of  Herbert,  but  when  the  life  of  sister  Laura,  who  as  you 
are  aware  wras  wedded  to  him,  drew  to  an  end,  she  sent  for  me  and 
made  disclosures  which  gave  me  an  insight  into  a  soul  so  black  that 
a  demon  would  have  shrunk  from  it  in  dismay." 

Father  drew  a  deep  breath  and  paused  a  moment  as  if  over 
come  by  the  recollection  of  the  horrible  things  he  was  about  to  re 
veal.  I,  for  my  part,  sat  motionless,  overcome  by  the  anticipation 
of  a  dreadful  blow.  After  a  few  moments,  father  resumed  : 

"  What  my  sister  told  me  was  this  :  A  few  months  before,  an 
old  servant  who  lay  at  the  point  of  death  had  sent  for  her  to  en 
trust  to  her  a  last  greeting  to  Herbert  Grau,  who  has  always  been 


140  The  Treasure  of  Montezunui. 

his  favorite  and  whose  youthful  plays  he  had  watched  and 
guided." 

"Tell  him,"  he  said,  "that  I  never  resigned  the  hope  of  seeing 
him  again,  and  that  of  all  my  deeds  none  ever  gave  me  such  un 
bounded  satisfaction  as  his  rescue  from  prison,  which  I  was  for 
tunate  enough  to  accomplish." 

"Laura  heard  these  words  with  ama/.ement,  nay  with  horror, 
which  you  will  comprehend  in  a  minute.  '  You  helped  him  from  his 
prison  ?'  She  gasped  faintly.  '  It  was,  it  must  have  been  at  the  in 
stigation  of  my  husband  ?'  The  dying  man  shook  his  head,  and 
the  question  seemed  to  strike  him  as  ludicrous,  for  in  spite  of  his 
feeble  condition,  he  smiled  cunningly  and  said:  'He?  Indeed, 
madam,  he  is  the  last  person  who  would  have  lent  a  hand  in  such 
an  undertaking.  I  hope  I  shall  not  hurt  your  feelings  by  saying 
that  he  always  hated  my  boy.' 

"That  was  poor  Laura's  death  blow,  and  no  wonder.  With  tears 
and  swoons  she  then  told  me  the  horrible  story  of  that  ominous 
night.  As  1  said  before,  Herbert  was  imprisoned  in  our  mansion, 
which,  at  that  moment  served  the  Prussians  for  their  headquarters. 
Laura  had  learned  the  dreadful  fate  of  Herbert,  and  as  she  was 
his  betrothed,  and  loved  him  with  all  the  fervor  of  her  soul,  you 
may  imagine  the  state  of  mind  into  which  the  news  threw  her.  I 
was  a  fugitive  at  the  time,  having  also  participated  in  the  revolu 
tion.  So,  the  poor  girl  did  not  know  at  first  to  whom  to  turn  for  help 
or  advice.  At  last  an  evil  genius  made  her  think  of  Arnold,  who 
was  also  in  the  mansion  in  the  capacity  of  a  judge.  Laura  knew 
him  to  be  in  high  favor  with  the  Prussian  commander  :  so  she 
hastened  to  his  room,  and  begged  him  with  all  the  fervor  of  love 
and  despair  to  save  the  life  of  her  betrothed.  At  first  he  plead 
Avant  of  power  ;  but  when  she  would  take  no  excuses,  he  broached 
the  fiendish  scheme  which  puts  the  keenest  deviltry  of  a  demon 
into  the  shade.  Very  well,  he  said  at  last,  I  will  undertake  to  save 
Herbert,  but  only  >at  the  price  of  your  hand.  Then  he  told  her 
that  he  had  always  loved  her,  but  kept  silent  on  account  of  the 
hopelessness  of  his  passion.  Now,  however,  was  his  chance,  and 
he  meant  to  benefit  by  it.  So,  if  she  really  wanted  to  save  Herbert, 
she  must  do  it  at  the  sacrifice  of  her  love.  The  girl  was  so  over 
whelmed  by  this  fiendish  suggestion  that  she  was  quite  stupefied, 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  141 

and  for  a  while  incapable  of  replying.  Then,  however,  she  cast 
herself  at  his  feet,  and  plead  with  him  to  relinquish  an  idea  which 
would  at  once  destroy  all  her  chances  for  happiness.  Little  did  she 
know  the  fiend  to  whom  she  prayed.  She  might  have  moved  a  stone, 
but  his  heart  was  harder  than  a  stone.  Her  failure  threw  her  into 
a  frenzy  ;  indeed,  I  do  honestly  believe  that  she  was  not  in  posses 
sion  of  her  reasoning  faculties,  when,  at  length,  she  made  the 
awful  vow  to  wed  this  devil  incarnate,  in  case  he  would  accom 
plish  Herberts  escape.  He  left  her  with  the  avowed  purpose  of 
Making  the  attempt  ;  nor  did  he  that  night,  or  ever  after,  let  her 
know  that  the  rescue  had  been  achieved  without  his  assistance.  I 
knew  all  the  time  that  her  wedded  life  was  a  wretched  one  ;  but 
the  thought  of  her  self-sacrifice  sustained  her.  Imagine,  then,  the 
blow  which  the  old  servant's  revelation  must  have  been  to  her.  In 
vain !  was  the  thought  that  made  her  brain  whirl  and  sapped  her 
strength,  until  merciful  death  stepped  in  and  took  an  unbearable 
burden  off  her. " 

Again  he  stopped,  until  a  groan  of  anguish,  which  I  could  not 
repress,  startled  him  into  consciousness. 

"  Yes,  my  boy, '  he  resumed  ;  '  it  is  enough  to  make  the  stout 
est  tremble  ;  but  I  must  not  dwell  upon  it,  lest  the  thought  of  it 
might  drive  me  into  frenzy,  and  cause  me  to  take  upon  myself  the 
role  of  the  avenger.  But  to  return  to  Herbert's  arrival. 

"  You  here  V '  I  cried  in  amazement  and  alarm  ;  '  if  the  gover- 
ment  should  track  you  ? 

"Fear  not,'  he  replied  with  a  sad  smile;  'I  have  been  cau 
tious  ;  besides  the  Herbert  Grau  of  to-day  is  not  the  helpless  youth 
of  yore.  He  has  money  and  with  money  you  can  buy  the  world. 
But  my  time  is  limited,  let  us  come  to  the  point.  I  have  a  favor 
to  ask. 

"Speak,'  I  replied.  'You  know,  before  hand,  that  I  shall 
grant  it,  if  in  my  power. 

"  I  want  you  to  undertake  the  guardianship  and  education  of 
the  infant  son  of  cousin  Guido  ;  who,  as  you  know  died  with  the 
fever  he  contracted  in  Africa. 

"  As  did  his  wife,'  I  added. 

"  Exactly  ;  that  is  the  reason  I  asked  the  favor.  What  do  you 
say? 


142  The  Treasure  of  Mbntezuma. 

I  shook  my  head.  '  Times  have  changed  sadly  for  the  worse 
since  your  departure,'  I  replied  moodily  ;  '  it'  you  knew  all.' 

"  I  do  know  all, '  he  replied  ;  'your  brother  has  gambled  all 
his  wealth  away,  leaving  you  the  unpleasant  necessity  of  selling  the 
estate  to  cover  the  most  urgent  debts.' 

"  Well,  if  you  know,  I  do  not  see  how  you  can  ask  me  to  un 
dertake  the  task  of  raising  this  boy  ? 

"  I  had  not  finished,  Anton  ;  to  how  much  does  the  indebted- 
ness  of  your  brother  amount  ? 

"  To  so  much  that  only  a  Croesus  could  extricate  me.  The  es 
tate  is  burdened  to  the  fearful  sum  of  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars. 

"  And  if  I  furnish  you  with  this  sum,  is  there  anything  else  in 
the  way  of  the  fulfillment  of  my  wishes? 

"  Nothing,'  I  replied  ;  startled  at  the  coolness  with  which  he 
uttered  these  words. 

"  Well,  then,  here  is  the  money.  Count  it  ;  I  think  you  will 
find  it  all  right. 

1  received  the  money  mechanically,  like  one  in  a  dream,  who 
fears  all  the  while  that  he  will  wake  to  a  cruel  reality.  I  had  just 
then  entered  upon  the  legacy  left  me  by  my  brother,  whom  the 
world  had  considered  wealthy,  but  who  was  worse  than  penniless, 
for  the  sale  of  the  fine  estates  would  not  have  covered  all  his  debts, 
which  were  mostly  so-called  debts  of  honor,  contracted  in  gambling 
with  boon  companions  of  high  social  standing  but  low  character. 
He  had  given  notes,  which  had  been  bought  up  by  a  Jewish  bank 
ing  house  of  K .  The  sale  was  to  come  off  the  following  day, 

and  you  may  therefore  imagine  the  feelings  with  which  I  handled 
the  bank  notes  which  were  to  save  me  from  ruin.  I  think,  if  Her 
bert  had  asked  me  at  that  moment  to  pull  four  back  teeth  from  the 
emperor's  mouth  in  return  for  that  money,  I  would  have  consented 
without  hesitation.  Never  shall  I  forget  the  words  with  which  he 
then  addressed  me. 

"  Very  well,"  he  said  ;  "I  shall  annually  place  at  your  disposal 
the  sum  of  SI, 000,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  your  charge.  Here, 
take  these  bills;  they  form  the  first  year's  installment.  Now,  as  to 
the  mode  of  education,  listen  well  to  my  instructions,  which  I  have 
w7ritten  down  to  avoid  misunderstandings.' 


The  Treamre  of  Montezuma.  143 

With  this  he  drew  forth  a  paper  and  began  to  read.  I  have  the 
paper  still  in  my  possession,  but  so  deeply  have  the  words  engraved 
themselves  into  my  memory  that  I  can  recite  them  without  the  aid 
of  the  document.  They  are  as  follows : 

"  Directions  which  are  to  guide  my  friend  Anton  Stamm  in  the 
education  of  my  ward,  Arthur  Grau. 

"As  it  is  my  desire  to  raise  my  ward  to  as  perfect  a  specimen  of 
humanity  as  the  imperfections  of  our  nature  will  permit,  I  desire 
my  friend  Anton  to  take  equal  care  in  the  development  of  his  soul 
and  body.  The  motto  of  the  ancients  'Mem  sana  in  corpore  s<,mo,' 
is  too  evidently  correct  to  be  overlooked.  I,  therefore,  exhort  my 
friend  to  harden  the  body  of  his  charge,  from  infancy,  in  a  judi 
cious  manner ;  by  baths  and  other  means  approved  in  modern 
hygiene.  The  boy  shall  practice  gymnastic  exercises  from  his 
earliest  youth,  and  to  such  an  extent  that  he  is  very  tired  on  retir 
ing  to  his  bed.  I  strictly  forbid  the  use  of  coffee,  tea,  wine  and 
beer  until  his  eighteenth  year.  Also  the  use  of  all  tropical  spices, 
as  they  excite  the  nerves  and  produce  an  appetite  for  sensual 
pleasures  calculated  to  stunt  the  growth.  As  soon  as  the  boy  is  old 
enough,  /.  e.,  nine  or  ten  years,  I  desire  to  have  him  instructed  in 
all  manly  sports,  such  as  swimming,  riding,  boxing,  fencing,  turnen 
and  the  like.  Nor  shall  he  obtain  a  mere  smattering  of  them,  but 
become  as  thorough  as  perseverence  and  the  best  of  teachers  can 
make  him.  It  is  probable  that  the  work  I  have  in  store  for  him 
may  expose  him  to  all  sorts  of  trials  and  dangers,  and  it  is  for  this 
reason  that  I  want  his  body  so  well  developed,  without  regard  to 
the  motto  above  mentioned.  His  studies  shall  be  practical  and 
thorough.  If  time  permits,  he  may  acquire  a  moderate  knowledge 
of  Latin  and  Greek  ;  but  his  tuition  in  modern  languages  must  be 
both  thorough  and  practical.  I  desire  Arthur  to  learn  to  speak, 
read  and  write  Spanish  and  English  well.  If  he  has  time  for 
French,  let  it  be  added  to  the  list.  I  desire  him  to  be  instructed  by 
native  teachers,  as  they  alone  can  impart  the  proper  pronunciation. 
Let  expense  be  no  consideration.  If  the  sum  I  have  set  out  for 
that  purpose  does  not  suffice,  I  shall  send  more. 

"I  beg  my  friend  Anton  to  take  special  care  of  Arthur's  instruc 
tion  in  natural  science  and  mathematics.     If  the  museum  of  K — 
does   not  afford   facilities  for  seeing   specimens  of  wild  animals 


144  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

of  all  kinds,  I  beg  my  friend  to  supply  such  opportunities  by 
travels,  illustrations,  and,  as  much  as  possible,  Avhen  the  boy  he- 
gins  to  apply  the  principles  of  mathematics,  let  him  put  the  knowl 
edge  acquired  into  practice  by  building  and  handling  machinery. 
Build  for  him  a  good  labratory,  and  let  him  prepare,  as  much  as 
is  practicable,  the  substances  whose  elements  he  has  learned  to 
know.  Let  him  be  thoroughly  instructed  in  mining,  road  and 
bridge  building  and  modern  engineering  in  general.  Let  him 
travel  and  visit  the  great  centers  of  industry  and  the  countries 
whose  languages  he  has  learned  to  speak. 

But,  while  you  thus  feed  his  mind  and  develop  his  body,  do  not 
neglect  his  heart  and  morals.  By  the  latter  I  do  not  mean  a  com 
plicated  code.  Just  instill  into  him  the  manliness  of  truthfulness, 
and  the  rest  will  take  care  of  itself.  Teach  him  to  be  modest  and 
respect  old  age  ;  indeed  to  respect  the  rights  of  others.  Inspire 
him  with  a  deep  and  fervent  love,  not  for  his  countrymen  in  par 
ticular,  but  his  race  in  general.  Show  him  the  injustice  practiced 
by  so  many,  either  in  criminal  indifference  or  selfish  consciousness. 
In  short,  show  him  that  there  is  no  higher  nor  nobler  life  than  that 
spent  in  the  service  of  mankind." 

Here  father  stopped.  I  was  glad,  for  I  was  still  revelling  in 
the  noble  sentiments  so  ably  expressed  in  the  instructions  form 
ulated  for  my  special  benefit.  Suddenly  the  thought  struck  me, 
how  fortunate  I  was  to  have  been  singled  out  by  this  extraordinary 
man,  and  to  have  received  an  education  which  surpassed  the  oppor 
tunities  of  thousands  and  whose  excellencies  I  was  old  enough  to 
appreciate.  I  now  saw  clearly  that  it  was  by  his  direction  that 
father  Anton  has  pursued  such  a  judicious  course,  and  the  desire  to 
make,  his  personal  acquaintance,  and  show  my  intense  gratitude  by 
my  actions,  suddenly  sprang  up  in  my  mind,  and  soon  gained  an  ir 
resistible  force.  By  this  time  father  had  regained  his  usual  equa 
nimity.  He  handed  me  the  paper  containing  the  instructions  and 
said: 

"I  see  it  plainly:  from  this  day  I  will  have  to  take  a  back  seat 
in  your  thoughts.  Nay,  do  not  excuse  yourself  for  a  thing  which 
is  so  natural.  I  tell  you,  my  boy,  to  know  Herbert  Grau  is  to 
love  him.  As  yet  you  know  nothing  except  what  can  be  inferred 
from  these  few  lines,  and  yet  you  feel  irresistibly  drawn  towards 


The  Treasure  of  Monteziima.  145 

him.  Judge  then  of  the  love  you  will  bear  him  when  you  see  him 
face  to  face  ;  when  you  listen  to  his  grand  thoughts,  breathing  the 
purest  philanthropy  ;  when  you  become,  in  short,  an  inmate  of  his 
home." 

"And  is  this,  indeed,  to  be  my  fate?"  I  asked  enthusiastically, 
thrilled  to  the  very  core  by  father's  eloquence. 

"Indeed,  it  will  be,  my  boy.  To-morrow  I  am  to  hand  you  a 
sealed  letter  of  your,  or  rather  our,  benefactor  containing  his  in 
structions." 

"And  do  you  know  where  he  lives?  " 

"  Merely  that  he  lives  somewhere  in  Mexico." 

"But  why  do  you  not  accompany  me  ?  I  certainly  owe  this 
man  a  heavy  debt  of  gratitude,  but  my  obligations  to  you  are 
equally  great.  If  you  had  not  so  skillfully  executed  his  directions, 
the  result  might  have  been  very  different,  and  if  I  am  to  lose  you 
by  gaining  him  my  heart  will  be  divided  and  my  energies  fettered 
by  my  longing  for  your  company."' 

"I  must  have  spoken  warmly,  for  I  saw  tears  gathering  in  his 
eyes. ' ' 

"I  thank  you,  my  boy,  for  these  manifestations  of  affection,"  he 
said,  wringing  my  hand  fervently;  "but,  have  no  fears,  for  we 
shall  undoubtedly  be  united  at  an  early  date.  Herbert  has  ten 
dered  me  more  than  one  pressing  invitation  to  join  him,  and  it  is 
more  than  probable  that  I  shall,  sooner  or  later,  go  to  Friedensthal, 
as  he  calls  his  Mexican  colony.  At  the  present,  however,  important 
duties  tie  me  here.  Before  leaving  I  shall  have  to  secure  Bertha's 
future." 

"But  why  not  leave  her  Antonsruhe?  That  would  surely  keep 
her  from  want. ' ' 

"So  it  would,  but  you  forget  that  Antonsruhe  does  not  belong 
to  me." 

"Not  belong  to  you !     To  whom,  then,  on  earth  does  it  belong?" 

"To  Herbert  Grau,  of  course,"  he  replied  earnestly.  "Did 
you  forget  the  large  sum  he  loaned  me,  to  save  the  estate?" 

"No,  sir;  but  does  he  really  consider  it  in  the  light  of  a  loan?  " 

"Never  said  so;  but  I  do  not  see  that  that  would  make  any 
difference.  I  had  no  right  to  expect  such  a  priacely  gift  from  him, 
and  have  always  considered  myself  in  the  light  of  a  steward,  who 

IO 


146  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

has,  sooner  or  later,  to  give  an  account  of  his  actions.  If  Herbert 
meant  this  as  a  gift,  it  was  probably  intended  for  you." 

"For  me  !"  I  cried  in  amazement.  "  In  that  case  I  transfer  the 
gift  at  once  to  Bertha." 

"A  generosity  which  I  fully  appreciate,  but  to  execute  which 
you  have  no  right.  Atone  time,"  he  continued,  hesitatingly,  "I 
entertained  hopes  which  promised  to  solve  the  gordian  knot ;  but 
they  have  vanished  long  since." 

"And  these  hopes — may  I  learn  their  nature?" 

"I  hardly  know,"  he  said,  musingly ;  "and  yet,  you  will  not 
abuse  my  C"nfidenee,  so  I  may  as  well  tell  you.  I  entertained  at 
one  time  the  fond  hope  of  seeing  you  and  Bertha  married  some 
day." 

Bertha  and  I  married  !  Such  thoughts  had  surely  never  entered 
my  mind.  She  had  always  been  so  distant  that  the  very  possibility 
of  her  ever  loving  or  marrying  anybody  had  never  been  the  sub 
ject  of  serious  consideration.  But  while  the  thought  of  a  union 
with  her  had  nothing  particularly  enticing,  it  was  also  equally  far 
from  having  anything  repugnant.  Be-ides,  father's  slightest  wishes 
had  always  been  laws  to  me ;  so  the  very  fact  that  such  a  union 
would  be  a  gratification  to  him  caused  it  to  appear  to  me  in  a  light 
quite  plausible. 

"  Well,"  I  replied;  "if  such  an  idea  is  very  dear  to  you,  I,  for 
my  part,  shall  not  raise  any  serious  objections." 

A  happy  light  gleamed  in  father's  eyes. 

"Then  you  love  her?"  he  inquired  earnestly. 

"Not  to  my  knowledge,"  I  replied,  shaking  my  head.  "If  I  do, 
the  love  must  be  very  different  from  the  sort  you  read  so  much 
about  in  novels,  for  it  has  not  affected  either  my  sleep  or  my 
appetite." 

"Well,  we'll  see,"  father  said,  thoughtfully,  and  thus  we  parted. 

Arm L  THE  TTH. 

Only  a  week  has  passed  since  my  last  entry  in  this  Journal,  and 
yet  how  many  events,  both  startling  and  sad,  have  been  crowded 
into  this  short  period.  First  of  all,  father  Anton  is  dead.  I  must 
look  up,  gaze  around,  yea,  feel  my  hand  or  face  to  convince  myself 
that  I  do  not  dream.  Alas  !  It  is  but  too  true.  The  kind  father, 
the  wise  teacher,  the  genial  companion  is  no  longer  amongst  the 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  147 

living.  What  that  signifies  I  can  feel  but  cannot  express.  I  feel 
as  if  life  had  suddenly  lost  all  its  interest.  Yes,  even  the  startling 
developments  of  the  last  evening  we  spent  together  have  lost  their 
charm,  and  gladly  would  I  sacrifice  all  the  glorious  prospects 
which  father's  communications  brought  then  into  view,  if,  by  so  do 
ing,  I  could  bring  him  back  to  life. 

I  have  just  now  learned  a  new  lesson  ;  the  first  lesson  of  the 
great  school  of  life — the  lesson  of  sorrow.  It  must  be  studied,  I 
suppose,  to  be  profitable,  but  such  study  is  so  painful  that  I  try  to 
shun  the  very  thought  of  my  loss.  But  I  shall  make  an  effort  to 
overcome  such  weakness  and,  as  a  penalty,  record  the  details. 

On  the  morning  following  the  interview  described,  I  heard  a 
loud  knocking  at  my  door,  and  then  Marianna' s  voice,  in  tones  so 
full  of  anguish  and  despair  that  I  at  once  sprang  from  my  bed  and 
inquired  what  was  the  matter. 

"Oh,  Arthur!'  she  sobbed  and  moaned  ;  'come  quick,  father 
Anton  is  dead.' 

I  heard  her  words  very  plainly,  but  their  import  was  so  strange, 
so  improbable,  that  I  would  not  trust  my  ears.  Yet  I  feared  to  ask. 
Dressing  more  rapidily  than  I  had  ever  dressed  before,  I  rushed 
into  the  hall  and  thence,  as  I  found  it  empty,  into  father's  room. 
Here  the  shocking  truth  broke  upon  me  with  an  overwhelming 
force.  There  he  sat  in  his  armchair,  before  his  open  secretary  ;  his 
arms  hanging  listlessly  at  his  sides.  Marianna  stood  near  him, 
holding  her  apron  to  her  eyes  and  crying  as  if  her  heart  would 
break.  I  had  no  experience  in  such  matters,  but  yet  saw  at  once 
that  a  stroke  of  apoplexy  had  ended  his  life,  if  ended  it  was.  Per 
haps  the  spark  of  life  had  not  yet  expired.  Acting  upon  this 
slight  hope,  I  said  hurriedly  :  'Marianna  have  you  sent  for  the  doc 
tor  ?  '  She  shook  her  head,  saying,  there  was  no  use,  for  her  poor 
master  was  dead;  had  been  dead  for  hours,  for  his  body  was  cold  as 
ice.  I  felt  instinctively  that  she  was  right,  but  hoping  against 
hope,  I  rushed  out  to  alarm  the  other  servants,  who  had  not  yet 
learned  the  dreadful  news,  and  to  send  a  mounted  messenger  for 
the  nearest  physician.  AVhen  I  returned,  the  whole  household  had 
gathered  around  the  dead  man,  who  had  been  their  friend  in  the 
true  sense  of  the  word.  They  stood  around  him,  weeping  bitterly; 
but,  as  is  often  the  case  on  such  occasions,  no  one  had  thought  of 


148  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

taking  the  steps  necessary  in  such  an  emergency.  80  I  took  the 
management  of  affairs  into  my  own  hands,  much  as  it  grieved  me 
to  perform  so  sad  a  duty.  I  had  the  body  laid  on  a  bed,  and  then 
tried  such  moans  of  restoration  as  I  could  think  of.  While  thus 
employed  the  physician  made  his  appearance,  and,  after  a  careful 
examination,  declared  life  extinct.  He  kindly  offered  to  inform 
and  send  such  parties  as  we  would  be  in  need  of.  He  was  on  the 
point  of  leaving  when  the  open  secretary  attracted  his  attention. 

"Mr.  Gran,'  he  said  'excuse  me  for  wounding  your  feelings; 
but  you  should  not  allow  your  grief  to  let  you  forget  the  dictates 
of  caution  and  prudence.  I  see,  Mr.  Stamm's  secretary  is  open, 
and  as  it  contains,  undoubtedly,  things  of  great  value,  and  this 
house  will  be  visited  by  many  strangers  before  long,  I  advise  you 
to  lock  it,  and  keep  the  key  to  yourself." 

He  evidently  meant  kindly ;  so  I  thanked  him,  and  acted  on  his 
advice  in  an  absent  minded  manner,  which  probably  gave  the  doc 
tor  a  poor  idea  of  my  business  capacity.  The  truth  is,  all  worldly 
things  were,  at  that  moment,  so  utterly  indifferent  to  me  that  I 
would  not  have  cared  if  the  secretary  had  been  full  of  precious 
stones  and  exposed  to  the  cupidity  of  the  first  passer  by.  I  need 
not  dwell  upon  the  details  of  the  next  few  days.  The  preparations 
for  the  funeral  took  the  usual  course,  and  on  the  third  the  best  and 
almost  only  friend  I  ever  had  was  laid  in  his  last  resting  place. 
The  funeral  was  largely  attended  ;  but  of  this  I  took  but  little 
notice.  I  could,  however,  not  help  noticing  the  almost  frantic 
grief  of  Bertha,  who  was  not  to  be  comforted,  and  moaned  and 
sobbed  day  after  day  as  if  her  heart  would  break.  Her  agonizing 
sorrow  touched  me  deeply,  but  when  I  made  a  feeble  attempt  at 
comforting  her,  she  rejected  my  overtures  with  such  a  decided  re 
pugnance  that  I  felt  hurt,  and  abandoned  her  to  her  own  thoughts 
and  feelings.  I  need  not  enlarge  here  on  the  steps  of  the  au 
thorities  to  secure  the  effects  of  value  and  ascertain  whether  there 
was  a  last  will  of  the  deceased.  Uncle  Arnold  conducted  all  these 
legal  formalities  ;  -but  so  repugnant  had  father's  last  revelations 
made  him  to  me  that  I  could  hardly  force  myself  to  observe 
towards  him  the  barest  rules  of  politeness.  The  painful  face  of 
his  wretched  wife  refused  to  vanish  from  my  mind,  and  I  showed  a 
coldness  towards  him  which  he  could  not  help  noticing,  but  which 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  149 

he  took  probably  for  grief,  for  he  abstained  from  criticising  my 
conduct.  Yesterday  the  will  was  read.  It  is  rather  strange,  but 
did  not  surprise  me  as  much  as  it  would  have  done  if  I  had  not  rec- 
collected  the  remarkable  conversation  with  father  the  night  before 
his  death.  Leaving  out  the  legal  technicalities,  the  will  reads  thus: 

"  I  hereby  leave  my  domain  of  Antonsruhe  to  my  ward  Arthur 
Gran,  son  of  Gudio  Grau,  deceased,  and  my  neice  Bertha  Stain m, 
jointly,  on  condition  that  they  enter  into  a  union  of  marriage  before 
the  expiration  of  two  years.  In  case  my  neice,  Bertha,  who  is  to  be 
asked  first,  refuses,  the  estate  shall  belong  to  Arthur  Grau  my  ward, 
alone,  on  condion  that  he  pay  to  my  neice,  Bertha  Stamm  an  an 
nuity  of  $200  during  her  single  life.  If,  my  ward,  Arthur  Grau, 
should  refuse  to  accept  the  hand  of  my  niece,  Bertha  Stamm,  in 
marriage,  the  estate  of  Antonsruhe  shall  belong  to  neither  party, 
but  be  placed  in  trust  of -Sir  Herbert  Grey,  of  No.  198  Hampton. 
Court,  London,  to  whom  I  herewith  bequeath  the  right  to  dispose 
of  the  estate  according  to  his  pleasure." 

The  will  created  a  good  deal  of  surprise,  and  both  Bertha  and  I 
were  plied  with  numerous  questions  as  to  the  reason  of  this  strange 
provision.  Bertha  was  evidently  as  much  in  the  dark  as  the  others, 
and  I,  for  my  part,  did  not  deem  it  expedient  to  give  the  informa 
tion  in  my  possession.  When  the  executor  asked  Bertha  the 
momentous  question  prescribed  in  the  will,  she  colored  slightly, 
but  said  with  a  firmness  which  surprised  me  considerably :  'this  puts 
me  in  rather  a  delicate  position ;  but  as  my  dear  uncle  seemed  to 
have  desired  it,  I  overcome  all  feelings  of  reserve,  and  declare  that 
I  am  satisfied  with  stipulations,  provided  that  the  consumation 
of  the  marriage  be  postponed  to  the  end  of  the  respite  granted.' 

There  was  something  in  the  cold,  business-like  manner  with 
which  Bertha  disposed  of  the  matter  which  jarred  considerably  upon 
my  feelings ;  but  what  could  I  do  under  the  circumstances  but  giye 
my  consent  to  the  proposed  union  ?  My  refusal  would  have  de 
prived  her  of  an  inheritance  to  which  the  ties  of  blood  plainly  en 
titled  her.  I  can  honestly  say  that  the  fact  of  my  also  loosing  the 
estate  in  case  of  a  refusal  had  no  weight  whatever  with  my  decision. 
I  have  intimated  before  that  the  coldness  of  my  relations  to  Bertha 
was  not  based  upon  any  repugnance  of  mine,  but  rather  the  reti 
cence  and  reserve  of  Bertha,  and  when  I  declared  yesterday  my 


150  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

consent  to  a  union  with  her  there  was  nothing  in  my  heart  or  mind 
which  would  prevent  me  from  doing  my  full  duty  by  her.  Some 
times  a  doubt  arises  within  me  as  to  the  propriety  of  marrying  a 
woman  you  do  not  love  ;  but  two  years  must  elapse  before  the  mar 
riage  will  take  place,  and  in  the  meantime  I  shall  try  my  best  to 
learn  to  love  her. 

My  grief*  at  the  bereavement  I  have  suffered  has  occupied  my 
mind  so  completely  that  I  almost  forgot  the  letter  which  I  was  to 
receive  on  the  day  of  my  majority.  This  morning,  however,  the 
thought  of  it  returned  with  redoubled,  force.  I  felt  that  I  owed  it 
to  my  unknown  protector  and  friend  to  pay  due  regard  to  his  words 
and  wishes,  and  it  was  with  something  like  remorse  that  I  went  to 
the  secretary  with  the  intention  of  fulfilling  a  tardy  duty.  My 
heart  beat  a  little  more  radidly  as  I  inserted  the  key  and  lifted  the 
lid  of  the  secretary.  With  a  second  and  smaller  key  I  then  opened 
a  small  drawer  in  which  father  used  to  keep  his  private  papers  and, 
to  open  which  a  little  secret  spring  was  to  be  known.  Slowly  I 
pulled  out  the  drawer,  and  looked  in  expectancy,  but  no  discovery 
was  to  satisfy  my  curiosity,  for,  the  drawer  was  empty.  I  started 
back  in  surprise.  Father  had  told  me  plainly  that  the  letter  had 
been  put  in  this  drawer,  and  I  had  therefore  no  right  to  expect  to 
find  it  anywhere  else  ;  nevertheless,  I  searched  the  entire  secretary. 
No  trace  of  any  letter  to  me  could  be  discovered.  Just  then 
Bertha  entered  the  room  and,  without  thinking  particularly  about 
the  likelihood  of  her  having  any  knowledge  of  the  missing  docu 
ment,  I  remarked : 

"Bertha,  I  am  looking  for  a  sealed  letter  which  father  said  he 
received  some  time  ago  for  me.  Have  you,  perchance,  seen  any 
thing  of  it?" 

A  striking  palor  overspread  her  face,  followed  by  a  deep  blush, 
showing  plainly  how  sensitive  and  painfully  conscious  of  her  em 
barrassing  relations  to  me  the  poor  girl  is.  Her  tone  was  rather 
angry  as  she  replied  : 

"How  should  I  know?  Uncle  never  made  me  a  participant  of 
his  secrets,  and  after  his  death  you  have  had  the  sole  charge  of  the 
keys,  as  far  as  I  know." 

This  was  strictly  true;  sol  begged  her  pai'don  and  admitted 
that  the  vexation  of  losing  the  letter  had  obscured,  for  a  moment, 


The  Treasure  of  Montezama.  151 

my  judgment.     AVithout  saying  a  word  in  reply,  she  left  the  room. 

Dear  me  ;  our  intimacy  does  not  progress  at  a  rapid  rate,  unless 
it  be  crab  fashion,  i.  e.,  retrograde. 

The  loss  of  this  letter  annoys  me, though.  What  must  my  bene 
factor  think  of  me  when  he  fails  to  receive  an  answer  to  his  letter? 
Must  he  not  think  me  ungrateful  in  the  highest  degree?  If  1  could 
only  obtain  his  address.  But  that  wish  is  idle,  I  fear,  for  he  seems 
to  have  covered  up  his  tracks  mo*st  effectually ;  for  good  reasons  I 
presume,  though  this  precaution  is  rather  vexing  in  my  case.  Per 
haps  he  will  learn  from  some  other  source  of  the  death  of  father 
Anton,  and  then  interpret  my  silence  correctly.  At  all  events,  I 
can  do  nothing  but  compose  myself  in  patience  and  await  further 
developments  of  affairs. 

JULY  THE  IST. 

Nearly  three  months  have  passed  away  without  bringing  any 
further  information  on  a  subject  which  affects  me  more  deeply 
every  day.  My  patience  is  nearly  exhausted,  and  I  have  made  up 
my  mind  that  I  shall  take  the  initiative,  if  nothing  turns  up  within 
the  next  week. 

Cousin  Philip  spent  last  Sunday  with  us,  and  I  benefited  by 
this  opportunity  to  learn  the  opinion  of  one  so  clever  and  well  in 
formed.  I  broached  the  subject ;  cautiously,  however,  for  I  do  not 
like  to  be  laughed  at. 

"  Philip,"  I  inquired,  "  did  you  ever  hear  the  report  that  there 
is  an  uncle  of  ours  living  in  the  New  World  ;  in  Mexico,  they  say, 
I  think?" 

A  queer  expression  came  over  his  face,  and  he  looked  at  me 
very  keenly,  as  if  he  wanted  to  see  through  me.  I  could  not 
understand  this  strange  effect  of  so  innocent  a  question,  but 
managed  to  endure  his  scrutiny  without  flinching. 

He  ceased  staring  and,  breaking  into  a  boisterous  laugh,  said  : 
"Where  did  you  hear  that  nursery  tale,  Arthur?" 

I  answered  evasively,  and  he  continued  : 

"  The  foundation  of  this  tale  is,  no  doubt,  the  flight  of  Herbert 
to  the  New  World.  It  seems  he  purchased  a  worthless  tract  of  land 
and  invited  a  few  emigrants  to  try  their  fortunes  with  him.  This 
much  is  authentic,  but  the  superstructure  is,  I  fear,  based  on  pure 
imagination.  At  all  events,  Arthur,  take  my  advice  and  do  not 


152  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

emigrate  to  Mexico  on  the  strength  of  such  expectations.  Did  I 
tell  you  that  the  Emperor  has  entrusted  me  with  a  mission  to  the 
Mexican  Government  ?  Tso.  Well,  I  shall  sail  there  in  one  week, 
and  if  you  are  at  all  interested  in  this  fabulous  uncle,  I  shall  take 
pleasure  in  hunting  up  the  facts  for  you." 

This  was  news  indeed.  So  he  is  to  go  to  Mexico  on  official  busi 
ness  ?  I  felt  greatly  tempted  to  tell  him  that  I  had  almost  made 
up  my  mind  to  go  there  on  my  own  business,  but  for  some  reason 
or  other  abstained  from  doing  so.  Ever  since  father's  communica 
tions  concerning  Philip's  father,  I  have  felt  a  distrust  whicli  is 
hardly  fair,  as  I  have  certainly  no  right  to  hold  him  to  account  for 
the  actions  of  his  father.  I  have  remonstrated  with  myself,  too, 
for  this  apparent  injustice,  but  cannot  force  myself  to  look  on  him 
in  the  old  light,  or  treat  him  with  the  old  cordiality.  I  have  also 
noticed  that  his  society  is  not  calculated  to  benefit  Bertha.  When 
he  is  at  Antonsruhe,  she  is  either  boisterously  gay  or  sullenly  taci 
turn.  Does  she  love  him  ?  Goodness  knows  that  I  do  not  ask 
myself  this  question  from  motives  of  jealousy.  He  is  welcome  to 
her,  and  Antonsruhe  in  the  bargain,  only  I  don't  want  him  to  trifle 
with  her  and  make  her  unhappy.  But  what  am  I  talking  about  ? 
I  have  not  the  slightest  reason  to  base  such  suspicion  upon,  ex 
cepting  the  fitful  moods  of  Bertha  at  the  time  of  his  visits.  Per 
haps  she  loves,  and  her  passion  is  unrequited,  but  that  is  not  his 
fault ;  only  I  would  like  to  see  clearly  in  this  matter,  for  I  do  not 
want  to  marry  a  girl  who  likes  somebody  else  better  than  me  ;  that 
is  sure. 

AUGUST  THE  IST. 

Well,  I  have  decided  to  visit  Mexico,  and  to-morrow  will  see  me 
off.  I  dislike  long  spells  of  uncertainty  and  hesitancy,  and  there 
fore  formed  my  resolution  in  a  minute.  Father  left  me,  in  his  will, 
the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars,  or  rather,  he  was  kind  enough  to 
state  in  a  few  lines  that  the  sum  then  lying  in  his  secretary  was 
my  private  property,  and  had  merely  been  handed  to  him  for  safe 
keeping.  This  money  furnishes  me  with  the  necessary  means  for 
traveling,  even  if  my  researches  should  have  to  extend  over 
months.  I  must  be  getting  distrustful,  for  I  have  merely  declared 
my  intention  for  travel,  without  stating  whither.  When  I  told 
Bertha  she  showed  no  sign  of  emotion,  but  looked  at  me  with  a 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  153 

glance  so  piercing  that  I  could  not  help  wondering  and  showing 
this  wonderment  in  my  face.  She  quickly  relapsed  into  her  usual 
indifference,  but  I  could  not  help  asking  myself  the  question : 
What  does  all  this  signify? 

AUGUST  THE  TTH. 

To-morrow  I  shall  leave  my  dear  Antonsruhe  for,  I  do  not  know 
how  long.  Now  I  feel  how  dear  it  is  to  me.  Of  course,  I  have 
left  it  repeatedly  before,  but  always  with  a  knowledge  of  the  time 
of  return.  This  time  I  am  bound  for  another  continent,  on  an 
adventure  which  may  turn  out  a  wild  goose  chase.  I  do  not  know 
when  I  shall  return,  nor  whether  I  shall  return  at  all,  which  cir 
cumstances  make  me  see  all  my  home  ties  in  a  clearer  light.  Even 
cold  and  indifferent  Bertha  has  thus  gained  an  attraction  which  she 
never  had  before,  and  if  she  would  only  let  me,  I  could  say  an 
affectionate  farewell  to  her  without  playing  the  dissembler. 

I  have  secured  an  outfit  calculated  to  meet  all  the  emergencies 
and  perils  likely  to  befall  me.  Prominent  among  my  acquisitions 
is  a  magnificent  repeating  rifle,  a  pair  of  superior  revolvers,  a 
hunting  knife  of  splendid  steel  and  fine  finish  and  divers  other 
weapons,  too  numerous  to  mention,  as  the  bills  of  vendue  say.  I 
was  afraid  that  my  recent  want  of  practice  had  impaired  my  skill 
as  a  marksman,  of  which  I  could  justly  boast  in  former  days  ;  but 
when  I  shot  out  the  spade  of  an  ace  with  a  revolver  six  times  run 
ning,  at  a  distance  of  thirty  paces,  and  then  performed  the  same 
trick  with  my  rifle  at  three  hundred  paces,  I  felt  satisfied.  Besides 
my  arms,  and  the  amunition  for  them,  I  purchased  a  rubber  blanket 
and  a  traveling  suit  of  the  most  enduring  material.  I  have 
traveled  too  often  not  to  know  that  too  much  luggage  on  the  road 
spoils  the  fun.  I  take  only  a  moderate  sum  of  ready  cash  along, 
having  purchased  bills  of  exchange  on  New  York  for  the  larger 
portion  of  my  capital. 

This  afternoon  I  made  the  customary  good-bye-visits,  and  could 
not  well  exclude  uncle  Arnold.  He  was  very  affable  and  evidently 
anxious  to  learn  the  direction  of  my  trip,  but  I  managed  to  answer 
his  question  so  evasively  that  I  left  him  about  as  wise  as  before. 
,  All  my  treasures  are  lying  by  my  side,  and  I  am  merely  wait 
ing  for  the  break  of  another  day  to  start  for  Bremen,  where  I  shall 
take  the  steamer  for  New  York.  All  adieus  have  been  said,  that 


154  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

to  Marianna  being  by  far  the  most  trying.  Peter  Maurer  was  also 
deeply  affected,  but  I  have  taken  steps  to  secure  his  future,  for  the 
next  two  years  at  least,  and  therefore  leave  him  with  an  easy  mind. 
My  farewell  to  Bertha  was  made  unexpectedly  easy  by  the  almost 
frivolous  indifference  she  showed  on  that  occasion.  I  Cv>uld  not 
have  been  sentimental,  if  I  had  felt  like  it  ever  so  much,  which  is 
not  the  case.  Indeed,  I  feel  my  pledge  to  marry  her  already  as  a 
ponderous  weight,  and  have  caught  myself  more  than  once  in  re^ 
flections  on  an  honorable  way  of  avoiding  my  obligation.  Well, 
two  years  is  a  long  time  ;  who  knows  what  may  turn  up  to  cancel 
the  engagement. 

NKW  YORK,  December  the  30th. 

Here  I  am  in  the  Metropolis  of  the  New  World.  For  the  last 
week  I  have  been  seeing  its  sights,  and  must  confess  that,  on  the 
whole,  I  like  its  condition  better  than  European  cities.  There  is  a 
greater  manliness  among  the  working  classes,  and,  on  the  whole, 
wealth  is  more  evenly  divided.  Still,  after  making  this  concession, 
I  have  to  modify  it  by  confessing  that  I  have  seen  enough  abject 
poverty,  squallor  and  wretchedness  even  in  this  magnificent  city  of 
the  New  World.  There  is  the  same  worm  gnawing  at  the  vitals  of 
society,  though  its  ravages  are  not  yet  so  startling  and  alarming  ; 
still  the  danger  is  here  as  great  or  even  greater  than  in  Europe,  for 
the  checking  influences  of  a  stern  government  and  the  intimidation 
by  millions  of  bayonets  is  wanting  here. 

My  voyage  was  retarded  four  weeks  by  circumstances  over 
which  I  had  no  control.  Nor  was  it  quite  free  from  danger,  as  we 
entered  a  field  of  frozen  icebergs,  from  which  we  could  extricate 
ourselves  only  after  an  exciting  cruise  of  a  whole  week.  I  cannot 
say  that  I  was  alarmed  or  afraid.  Indeed,  our  courage  depends 
greatly,  if  not  altogether,  upon  our  nerves.  I  can  therefore  see  no 
great  merit  in  the  preservation  of  coolness  under  trying  circum 
stances  ;  but  I  have  more  than  once  invoked  blessings  upon  the 
noble  man  who  caused  my  body  to  be  developed  in  such  a  way  as 
to  give  a  healthy  tone  and  to  give  to  my  nerves,  sinews  and 
muscles  a  vigor  making  the  encountering  of  dangers  more  a  source 
of  pleasure  than  of  anguish. 

CITY  OF  MKXICO,  January  the  9th. 

It  was  with  a  strange  mixture  of  feelings  that  I  landed  upon 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  155 

the  coast  of  the  Aztecs.  Their  history  has  always  interested  me, 
though  I  did  not  much  admire  their  religious  rites,  which  savor 
after  cruelty  and  inhumanity,  but  for  which  their  priesthood  un 
doubtedly  is  responsible,  as  the  entire  education  of  the  young  was 
in  their  hands.  In  every  other  respect,  the  civilization  of  these 
strange  people  is  so  remarkable  that  we  may  well  doubt  whether 
that  of  the  bigoted  Spaniards  was  an  advancement.  It  seems  that 
the  want  of  the  horse  was  the  only  thing  keeping  them  from  enter 
ing  the  ranks  of  the  most  enlightened  nations.  In  our  days  this 
circumstance  has  probably  ceased  to  be  a  correct  criterion  ;  but 
until  the  invention  of  the  locomotive,  the  absence  of  the  horse  may 
be  taken  as  a  sure  indication  of  the  low  condition  of  a  people's 
culture.  It  is,  of  course,  not  the  influence  of  the  intelligence  of 
this  noble  animal  which  gave  an  impetus  to  progress,  but  the  facil 
ity  for  travel  and  traffic  it  affords.  The  Aztecs'  substitute  was  the 
llama,  but  that  animal,  though  higly  useful,  cannot  replace  the 
horse. 

I  have  been  here  a  week  now,  and  made  diligent  search  and  in 
quiry  after  Herbert  Grau.  In  the  mouths  of  the  people,  vague 
rumors  concerning  him,  are  afloat  ;  but  they  wrear  so  decidedly  the 
garb  of  myth  that  no  reliance  can  be  placed  upon  them.  These 
rumors  agree,  however,  in  making  him  out  a  remarkable  man,  who 
is  in  league  with  the  devil  and,  with  his  aid,  achieves  wonderful 
things.  Strange  to  say,  all  his  deeds  are  good  and  benevolent,  but 
when  you  call  the  attention  of  your  informants  to  this  anamoly 
the}'  only  shrug  their  shoulders  and  resort  to  their  favorite  "Queen 
sabe."  The  race  certainly  seems  ignorant ;  they  are  surely  as  much 
under  the  influence  of  their  spiritual  advisers  as  their  predecessors, 
the  Aztecs',  which  accounts  for  their  ignorance. 

The  government  is  not  much  better  informed  on  this  subject 
than  the  populace,  although  it  has  appeared  to  me  more  than  once 
as  if  they  know  more  than  they  are  willing  to  reveal.  Several  offi 
cials  have  subjected  me  to  a  rather  sharp  examination,  w-hich  I 
always  endeavored  to  evade  as  best  I  could.  Perhaps  they  were 
determined  to  pay  me  back  in  my  own  coin,  for  all  I  can  learn  is 
that  in  the  year  1852  a  large  tract  of  land  was  purchased  by 
Herbert  Grau  from  the  Mexican  Government,  -which  the  records 
of  the  court  bound  as  follows  : 


156  Tlie  Treasure  of  Montezunitt. 

'  Beginning  twenty  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Frio  and 
running  thence  between  the  Pinaleno  and  Sierra  Madre  mountains, 
embracing  all  the  land  between  them  and  extending  about  one 
hundred  miles  in  a  north-easterly  direction,  to  the  junction  of  the 
mountains  at  the  twenty-ninth  degree  of  northern  latitude,  together 
with  all  the  minerals  contained  in  such  lands,  and  with  the  privi 
lege  of  making  settlements  thereon,  whose  people  shall  have  the 
unrestricted  right  of  worshiping  according  to  their  own  convictions, 
the  purchase  money  to  be  five  millions  of  dollars,  the  receipt  of 
which  is  herewith  acknowledged.' 

This  was  about  all.  What  had  become  of  Herbert  and  all  his 
colonists  nobody  pretended  to  know;  for  that  this  ignorance  on  the 
part  of  the  authorities  is  merely  assumed,  I  have  not  the  slightest 
doubt.  An  estate  embracing  probably  over  six  hundred  square 
miles  cannot  be  so  effectually  hidden  as  to  escape  public  notice, 
even  if  the  common  report,  that  both  the  mountain  ranges  men 
tioned  present  impassable  barriers  just  in  these  regions,  are  correct. 
I  wager,  they  will  not  prove  unsurmountable  to  me,  for  I  am  bound 
to  make  the  effort  to  find  Herbert  Grau  and  his  colony  or  perish 
in  the  attempt.  I  have  secured  the  best  maps  of  Mexico  which 
German  bookstores  can  furnish.  After  consulting  them  carefully, 
I  have  determined  to  attempt  the  passage  of  the  Sierra  from  the 
southeast,  at  a  point  about  fifty  miles  from  the  junction  with  the 
Pinaleno  mountains  on  the  Rio  Frio,  as  such  a  course  will  prevent 
the  danger  of  missing  the  valley,  if  a  valley  really  exists  between 
the  ridges,  of  which  I  have  no  doubt.  I  shall  purchase  a  stout 
mule,  the  favorite  beast  of  burden  of  the  country,  and  start  the 
day  after  to-morrow. 

SAX  .JUAN,  January  31st. 

This  hamlet  lies  at  the  foot  of  the  Sierra  Mad  re,  and  is  just 
the  place  from  which  to  attempt  the  crossing,  as  it  lies  about  seventy 
miles  from  the  Pacific  coast,  if  the  natives  are  correct  in  their 
reckonings.  I  have  met  with  no  very  striking  adventures  on  my 
way  to  this  place,  though  one  day  I  was  tackled  by  two  knights  of 
the  highway,  who  received  such  a  warm  reception  and  so  thorough 
a  thrashing  as  to  soon  loose  the  relish  for  their  adventure.  I  now  see 
why  my  patron  laid  such  stress  on  his  demand  that  I  should  be 
thoroughly  instructed  in  horsemanship.  For  to.  one  thus  not  skilled, 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuuta.  157 

traveling  in  the  interior  of  Mexico,  is  very  difficult  and  laborious, 
if  not  impossible.  My  knowledge  of  Spanish  has  also  greatly 
smoothed  my  way.  The  natives  have  treated  me  civily  on  the 
whole,  although  I  have  occasionally  met  with  ruffians  who  under 
stand  the  language  of  the  poinard  and  the  pistol  much  better  than 
the  tongue.  On  two  occasions  I  got  into  an  embroglio  which  might 
have  terminated  fatally,  on  account  of  the  great  odds  against  me, 
if  the  swiftness  of  my  mule  and  my  expertness  in  the  art  of  riding 
had  not  carried  me  safely  through.  One  evening  1  arrived  at  a 
place  where  they  had  inaugurated  a  little  festival.  A  race  was  in 
the  programme,  and  I  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  enter  the 
lists.  My  mule  had  made  only  a  short  trip  that  day,  so  it  was  in 
good  condition.  I  must  confess  that  my  rivals  were  most  of  them 
excellent  riders,  but  Herr  Marx's  training  proved  to  much  for 
them,  as  it  was  as  much  owing  to  the  judicious  handling  of  my 
steed  as  its  swiftness  which  enabled  me  to  win  the  prize,  consist 
ing  of  a  pair  of  silver  spurs.  Of  course,  I  did  not  care  for  them, 
but  at  once  put  them  up  as  a  prize  for  a  second  race,  in  which  I  re 
mained  a  mere  looker-on.  This  abstinence  gained  me  the  good 
will  of  the  villagers,  and  when  I  finally  put  up  a  ten  dollar  gold 
piece  as  the  prize  for  a  third  race,  I  became  the  hero  and  favorite 
of  the  evening.  How  easy  it  is  to  gain  public  favor  and  how  often 
its  acquisition  is  abused.  I  spent  the  evening  very  pleasantly 
among  these  simple-hearted  people,  and  on  the  following  morning 
took  their  cordial  "  adios"  with  me  on  my  way. 

To-morrow  morning  I  shall  begin  the  passage  of  the  mountain. 
If  I  am  to  believe  the  reports  of  the  villagers,  increditable  dangers 
are  coupled  with  such  an  attempt.  Indeed,  they  universally  cross 
themselves  when  they  mention  the  subject,  invoking  at  the  same 
time  the  protection  of  all  the  saints  of  the  calendar.  They  assure 
me  that  I  will  meet  savage  beasts  at  every  step,  and  that  the  rocks 
are  so  steep  and  the  abysses  so  deep  that  no  human  foot  can  cross 
them.  I  know  the  exaggerations  of  these  Mexicans  too  well  to 
place  much  credence  in  their  statements,  but  even  if  toned  down 
considerably,  the  obstacles  in  the  way  will,  no  doubt,  tax  my  en 
durance  to  the  utmost.  My  purpose,  however,  cannot  be  swayed 
'by  these  considerations.  I  will  find  a  passage  to  Herbert  Grau's 
possessions,  if  human  strength  and  endurance  can  accomplish  such 
an  undertaking. 


158  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

THK  SIKRR.V  MADRE,  February  the  1st. 

I  am  all  alone.  1  have  my  doubts  whether  any  human  foot 
ever  stood  before  where  I  am  now  standing,  partaking  of  the 
simple  meal  brought  from  the  village.  It  is  twilight,  and  soon  the 
shades  of  night  will  gather  round  me.  I  think  I  had  better  light 
a  fire  big  enough  to  last  all  night  for,  though  I  have  seen  but  a  few 
of  the  wild  beasts  with  which,  as  the  natives  say,  these  mountains 
are  infested:  J  have  no  doubt  that  they  will  become  numerous 
enough  in  the  night,  and  prowl  uncomfortably  near  the  neighbor 
hood  of  my  camp.  I  know  of  no  more  effectual  means  of  keeping 
them  oft'  than  by  fire. 

For  once  the  gossip  of  the  people  has  fallen  short  of  reality.  I 
have  not  yet  reached  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  and  yet  I  have 
been  compelled  to  surmount  obstacles  which  would  prove  fatal  to 
anyone  not  gifted  with  the  firmest  nerves,  the  surest  footing  and 
the  coolest  presence  of  mind.  My  supply  of  ink  is  running  low, 
and  if  I  want  to  record  the  history  of  the  next  day,  I  must 
husband  it  carefully  ;  so  farewell  to  my  journal  for  to-night. 

SIERKA  MA  DUE,  February  the  2nd. 

Another  day  is  gone.  I  think  it  was,  on  the  whole,  the  hardest 
and  most  trying  I  have  spent  thus  far  in  life.  To  s-.iy  that  the 
hardships  of  the  road  are  great  is  expressing  it  very  mildly,  indeed. 
I  think  I  do  not  exaggerate  when  I  say  that  the  great  majority  of 
people  would  simply  have  pronounced  them  beyond  human  endur 
ance.  I  have  ascended  perpendicular  ledges,  fully  an  hundred  feet 
high,  whose  top  I  could  only  reach  by  climbing  gigantic  trees,  grow 
ing  at  their  base,  and  then  swinging  from  their  tops  to  the  ledge, 
the  branches  bending  under  my  weight,  thus  subjecting  myself  to 
the  danger  of  being  dashed  to  atoms  on  tbe  ground  below  in  case  of 
their  breaking.  To  encumpass  these  ledges,  I  have  walked  mile 
after  mile,  only  to  find  that  these  wanderings  brought  me  to  other 
ledges  higher  and  steeper  than  those  passed.  Indeed,  I  have 
learned  this  lesson  to-day,  that  it  is  idle  to  try  to  overcome  these  ob 
stacles  by  passing  around  them.  The  whole  problem  is  simply  re 
duced  to  one  of  endurance.  At  the  rate  of  my  previous  progress, 
it  will  take  me  about  two  more  days  to  accomplish  the  passage, 
always  provided  the  obstacles  do  not  begin  to  surpass  human 
strength.  In  such  a  case,  I  say,  the  result  is  simply  a  matter  of  en- 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  159 

durance.  The  food  I  brought  from  the  village  was  consumed  this 
noon,  and  I  had  to  make  my  supper  on  a  rabbit  I  was  fortunate 
enough  to  kill.  Water  has  been  very  scarce  all  day,  but  I  managed 
to  gather  enough  to  quench  my  thirst.  The  worst  feature  of  the 
case  is  the  fatigue  which  the  great  exertions  of  the  day  could  not 
help  producing.  Shall  I  be  able  to  surmount  similar  obstacles  to 
morrow,  or  will  it  be  wiser  to  rest  a  day  in  the  wilderness?  I  do 
not  know,  but  think  it  will  be  well  to  sleep  over  it.  In  fact  I  can 
hardly  keep  my  eyes  open,  and  yet  it  will  be  necessary  to  gather  a 
supply  of  wood  before  indulging  in  the  sweet  harbinger  of 
strength — sleep. 

SIERRA  MADRE,  February  the  3rd. 

Another  weary  day.  A  considerable  portion  of  my  strength 
is  gone.  Fortunately  the  task  is  nearly  over,  or  I  should  be  obliged 
to  give  up,  lie  down  and  await  my  doom.  This  constant  climbing, 
sliding,  springing  and  balancing,  with  death  staring  constantly  in 
one's  face  and  liable  to  result  from  the  slightest  error  or  misstep,  is 
almost  beyond  human  endurance,  and,  strong  as  I  am  and  proud  as 
1  always  have  been  of  my  undaunted  spirit  in  meeting  dangers  and 
hardships,  I  am  now  forced  to  confess  that  there  is  a  limit  to  human 
strength  and  resolution  and  that  I  would  not  be  able  to  endure  such 
hardships  another  day.  It  is  needless  to  note  down  the  struggles  of 
to-day,  as  they  were  merely  a  repetition  of  those  of  the  preceding 
day,  only  on  a  larger  scale.  One  adventure  at  least  I  must  record, 
which  came  near  terminating  my  life,  and  whose  recollection  even 
now  causes  my  flesh  to  creep.  It  was  about  noon.  I  had  finished 
a  scanty  meal,  consisting  of  a  bird  of  the  parrot  family,  and  was 
walking  wearily  along  a  precipice  with  the  view  of  making  a  de 
scent  when  suddenly  the  ground  caved  in  under  my  feet  and  I  felt 
myself  falling  down  into  a  deep  hole,  resembling,  as  far  as  I  could 
judge,  a  mining  shaft,  not  made  by  man,  of  course,  but  one  of 
the  freaks  in  which  nature  sometimes  likes  to  indulge.  It  was  not 
exactly  perpendicular,  but  so  much  so  that  my  sensations  were 
more  those  of  one  falling  than  sliding.  Any  one  who  has  thus  de 
scended  rapidly  into  a  pit  of  whose  depth  he  was  ignorant,  and 
which  might  be  bottomless  for  all  he  knew,  might  imagine  my  sen 
sations — nobody  else  could.  At  first  the  hole  was  so  wide  that  my 
outstreached  arms,  by  means  of  which  I  endeavored  to  check  my 


160  The  Treasure  of  Moniczuina. 

progress,  felt  nothing  but  the  vacant  air ;  but  after  falling  some 
distance  the  cavity  narrowed,  and  soon  became  so  small  that  the 
horrible  idea  of  being  wedged  in  struck  me  with  a  force  threaten 
ing  to  take  away  my  breath  and  deprive  me  of  the  little  presence 
of  mind  left  me.  I  made  some  foolish  attempts  to  stop  my  fall  by 
clutching  at  the  walls  of  the  shaft,  but  the  impetus  which  my 
body  received  by  the  continued  falling  and  almost  glassy  smooth 
ness  of  the  walls,  frustrated  all  such  attempts.  I  verily  believe;  if 
J  had  succeeded  in  stopping  my  course,  I  would  not  be  in  a  condi 
tion  now  to  record  my  adventure,  but  be  still  suspended  there  in 
mid-air,  awaiting  the  awful  death  of  starvation.  As  it  was  ray 
escape  was  marvelous  enough.  Of  course,  it  did  not  take  me  as 
long  to  make  the  descent  as  it  does  to  chronicle  its  history  ;  but  to 
my  disturbed  mind  the  seconds  during  which  it  lasted  seemed  an 
eternity.  Down,  down  1  went,  going  faster  every  moment.  Now 
my  arms  became  pinioned  to  my  side;  I  felt  my  rifle,  whien  I  bore 
with  a  strap  over  my  shoulder,  press  painfully  against  my  side,  until 
the  terrible  friction  either  wore  the  strap  through  or  some  slight 
projection  tore  it  apart  and  thus  freed  me  from  an  impediment 
which  might  possibly  have  proved  fatal.  When  the  rifle  was  gone 
my  descent  became  faster,  but  the  passage  also  narrower  at  the  same 
time.  Indeed,  so  tight  had  my  quarters  now  become  that  I  expected 
every  moment  to  stick  fast.  I  could  no  longer  think  clearly,  but  had 
vague  idea,  of  the  awful  fate  in  store  in  such  a  case.  Now  the  pas 
sage  had  become  so  narrow  that  I  surely  would  have  stuck,  if  the 
great  impetus  of  my  fall  had  not  propelled  me  downward.  For  a 
moment  I  felt  as  if  I  would  suffocate.  Then  suddenly  there  was  a 
delicious  feeling  of  relief;  I  felt  my  body  free  from  the  confining 
rocky  bonds  and  shot  with  redoubled  speed  into  vacant  space. 
Everything  was  dark  around  me  ;  but  I  felt  nevertheless  so  relieved 
that  the  consequences  of  my  headlong  fall  did  not  worry  me. 
Perhaps  I  had  no  time  for  such  a  thought,  for  a  second  could 
hardly  have  elapsed  since  my  delivery  from  the  confines  of  the 
shaft  when  I  struck  some  object  with  a  force  which  threatened  to 
deprive  me  of  my  consciousness.  Fortunately  this  object  was  soft, 
or  I  might,  yes,  surely  would,  have  broken  some  bones  if  not  my 
neck.  As  it  was,  the  fall  stunned  but  did  not  disable  me  ;  certainly 
a  fortunate  circumstance,  for,  had  it  been  otherwise  1  would  not 


The  Treasure  of  Montezama.  161 

have  been  able  to  confide  all  this  to  my  trusty  friend,  the  journal. 
I  had  scarcely  alighted  on  my  soft  footing,  than  I  felt  violent  com 
motion  under  me  ;  a  savage  snarl  was  heard,  and  I  was  then  hurled 
aside  with  a  vehemence  and  utter  lack  of  ceremony  highly  startling, 
and  only  excusable  in  a  savage  beast.  And  such,  indeed,  it  was. 
The  place  where  I  had  landed  was  not  as  dark  us  I  had  at  first  im 
agined.  An  opening  in  the  side  of  the  rock  admitted  enough  life 
to  create  a  gentle  twilight.  By  its  aid  I  now  recognized  a  huge 
puma  standing  only  about  two  paces  from  me,  snarling  and  lashing 
its  flanks  in  a  manner  indicative  of  a  high  state  of  rage.  It  was 
a  cause  of  wonder  to  me  then,  and  has  been  ever  since,  that  the 
animal  did  not  spring  upon  me  without  delay,  benefiting  by  the 
semi-stupification  brought  about  by  my  fall.  The  only  way  that  T 
can  explain  it  is  that  the  puma  was  so  surprised  and  somewhat 
scared  by  my  sudden  and  entirely  unexpected  arrival.  I  perceived, 
however,  that  it  would  not  take  it  long  to  recover  from  this  fright, 
and  that  it  would  be  upon  me  before  the  expiration  of  many  sec 
onds,  if  I  did  not  anticipate  the  spring.  On  such  occasions  we  are 
apt  to  act  more  from  instinct  than  reason.  I  felt  that  no  time  was 
to  be  lost,  so  reaching  mechanically  for  my  revolver,  which  had 
fortunately  escaped  the  fate  of  my  rifle,  I  drew  it  forth  and,  aiming 
at  the  heart  of  the  beast,  pulled  the  trigger.  I  was  just  in  time. 
The  puma  had  already  gathered  itself  for  a  spring,  and  if  I  had 
delayed  a  moment  longer,  I  would  certainly  have  made  the  ac 
quaintance  of  its  claws.  The  shot  was  a  good  one,  for  the  animal 
sank  down  and  turned  over  without  uttering  a  groan.  Slowly  I 
rose,  feeling  my  body  to  see  if  any  bones  had  been  broken,  and 
was  on  the  point  of  congratulating  myself  on  this  double  and  nar 
row  escape  when  I  suddenly  heard  another  savage  growl  at  the  en 
trance  of  the  cavern.  On  looking  up  I  noticed  a  second  puma, 
probably  the  mate  of  the  one  I  had  just  killed,  and  evidently  de 
termined  to  avenge  its  death.  This  fellow  had  not  been  startled  in 
to  momentary  inactivity  by  surprise ;  that  was  evident,  for  no 
sooner  did  he  see  me  than  he  made  his  spring.  I  had  time  to  draw 
my  revolver,  but  no  time  to  take  aim  and  fire.  All  I  could  do  was 
to  make  a  sudden  spring  and  thus  avoid  the  onset  which  would  cer 
tainly  have  been  fatal  in  its  awful  force  and  wildness.  As  it  was,  the 
puma  barely  missed  me,  landing  in  the  rear  of  the  cave.  It  turned 

1 1 


162  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

at  once,  growling  fiercely  and  flashing  fire  frora^its  ferocious  eyes. 
The  place  where  it  stood  was  pretty  dark,  preventing  a  very  accurate 
aim.  Nor  did  it  leave  me  much  time  for  aiming.  Scarcely  had  it 
turned  when  it  crouched  for  a  second  spring,  forcing  me  to  act 
quickly.  Aiming  as  best  I  could,  between  its  shining  eyes,  I  pulled 
the  trigger  and  dispatched  the  bullet  which  was  to  decide  the 
struggle  and  probably  my  fate.  The  bullet  had  taken  effect,  that 
I  could  see  without  difficulty,  but  had  not  been  fatal,  for  on  came 
the  beast,  inflicting  a  slight  flesh  wound  in  my  left  shoulder  as  I 
dodged  it.  Before  it  could  recover  its  strength  and  time  for  a  third 
onset,  I  fired  from  close  proximity  and  stretched  it  dead.  My 
nerves  were  badly  shattered  by  this  adventure,  but  I  was  destined 
to  go  through  a  third  and  equally  trying  one,  before  I  reached  the 
comparatively  safe  place  where  I  am  now  encamped.  About  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  I  reached  a  canon  so  deep  and  wide  that 
to  cross  it  seemed  entirely  impossible.  The  sides  were  perpendicu 
lar  and  at  many  places  overhanging.  Even  if  I  had  had  a  rope  to 
lower  myself  to  the  bottom,  I  would  not  have  had  the  slightest 
chance  of  climbing  the  opposite  ledge,  which  was,  if  possible,  even 
steeper  than  the  near  one.  Here,  then,  my  progress  seemed 
barred,  after  all  the  desperate  efforts  I  had  made.  To  go  back  was 
out  of  the  question,  even  if  I  could  have  endured  such  a  thought, 
for  I  had  not  stength  enough  left  to  overcome  the  obstacles  of  the 
road  a  second  time,  to  say  nothing  of  ascending  the  ominous  shaft. 
Listlessly  I  wandered  up  and  down  the  canon,  hoping  against  my 
experience  to  rind  at  some  other  place  a  more  favorable  point  for 
crossing.  In  vain  ;  the  abyss  became  deeper  and  wider  as  I  pro 
ceeded,  and  at  last  I  lost  heart  and,  sitting  down,  abandoned  myself 
for  a  short  time  to  a  fit  of  despondency.  It  lasted  only  a  few  min 
utes,  however.  Jumping  up  and  setting  my  teeth  firmly  together,  I 
resolved  to  die  game,  if  die  I  must  and,  behold,  a  slim  chance  for 
crossing  presented  itself  to  my  view.  Where  I  had  sat  down,  a  huge 
pine  tree  was  growing  on  the  near  edge  of  the  canon,  which,  at 
that  place  might  be  about  seventy-five  feet  wide.  Time  and  storms 
had  loosened  its  hold,  causing  it  to  hang  obliquely  over  the  chasm. 
By  the  advice  of  the  villagers  I  had  provided  myself  with  a  little 
hatchet,  which  now  promised  to  serve  me  well  in  an  unlocked  for 
emergency,  and  with  which  I  would  perhaps,  be  able  to  sever  the 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  163 

upper  roots  sufficiently  to  cause  the  top  of  the  pine  to  descend  to 
to  the  opposite  cliff.  It  was,  as  far  as  I  could  see,  my  only  chance, 
so,  without  further  deliberation,  I  took  the  hatchet  from  the  belt 
and  began  to  attack  the  roots  I  meant  to  sever.  Slowly  the  work 
went  on.  The  roots  were  worthy  of  the  giant  to  Avhich  they  be 
longed  but  perseverence  conquered  here  as  in  so  many  other  places, 
and,  after  the  expiration  of  an  hour,  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  see 
ing  the  once  proudly  upright  tree  lowering  its  head  and  laying  it  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  canon,  in  search  of  support.  That  was 
all  right,  of  course,  and  what  I  had  hoped  and  expected ;  but  an 
ominous  crashing  of  the  remaining  roots  warned  me  of  the  danger  of 
the  tree  falling  into  the  abyss,  taking  with  it  my  last  hope.  A 
sickening  sensation  came  over  me ;  my  stomach  heaved  as  if  in 
clined  to  vomit,  and  with  bated  breath  I  waited  the  expected  catas- 
trophy.  It  did  not  come  ;  the  crashing  ceased,  and  the  remaining 
roots  promised  to  be  strong  enough  to  bear  the  heavy  tree,  made 
much  heavier  by  the  large  lumps  of  ground  adhering  to  the  roots. 
For  the  present  the  position  of  the  tree  seemed  secure  and  I  began 
to  the  remove  some  of  the  soil  sticking  to  the  roots.  Slight  as  the 
strain  was  which  these  efforts  made  on  the  tree  they  were  sufficient 
to  renew  the  ominous  cracking  of  the  roots,  and  I  saw  that  the  pas 
sage  must  be  attempted  at  once,  if  it  was  to  be  attempted  at  all. 
But  would  the  tree  bear  my  additional  weight  ?  No  one  could  tell; 
but  the  hazard  must  be  taken  notwithstanding,  if  it  fell,  I  would  be 
crushed  to  death ;  if  I  remained  on  this  side,  I  would  die  the 
lingering  and  horrible  death  of  starvation.  Could  I  for  a  moment 
hesitate  about  my  course  ?  Certainly  not,  and  nerving  myself  for 
the  awful  attempt,  I  stepped  cautiously  upon  the  trunk.  Re 
doubled  cracking,  but  I  must  pay  no  attention  to  the  ominous 
signs.  I  must  leave  the  butt  as  soon  as  possible,  to  relieve  it  of  my 
weight.  80,  with  a  determination  truly  desperate  I  walked  on,  ex 
pecting  every  moment  to  hear  the  crash  which  would  be  my  death 
knell.  Still,  it  delayed  and  I  proceeded  with  steady  but  rapid 
steps  on  my  perilous  journey.  To  many  it  would  have  been  imposi- 
ble,  for  the  trunk  was  comparatively  thin,  and  slippery  besides  ; 
but  for  me  the  crossing  in  itself  offered  no  great  difficulties.  I  had 
learned  to  stand  on  the  bare  back  of  a  horse  and  preserve  my  bal 
ance  while  the  animal  was  galloping.  The  only  trouble  was  the 


164  The  Treasure  of  Montestnna. 

awful  depth  below,  which  might  have  created  dizziness  in  many  ; 
but  no  height  or  location  had  ever  been  able  to  produce  such  a  feel 
ing  in  me,  and  if  the  bridge  held  out  I  had  no  fears  of  not  crossing 
in  safety. 

I  was  now  two-thirds  across,  and  the  diminished  size  of  the 
trunk  compelled  me  to  step  with  greater  caution.  At  the  same  time 
this  thinness  caused  the  tree  to  assume  a  swinging  motion,  which 
the  utmost  caution  on  my  part  could  not  prevent.  Once  more  the 
crashing  of  the  roots  became  audible  and,  what  was  worse',  it 
increased  at  a  rate  indicating  that  a  separation  of  the  bands  hold 
ing  the  tree  in  position  must  soon  take  place.  I  felt  an  almost  ir- 
resistable  impulse  to  rush  forward,  and  cannot  now  but  wonder  that 
I  succeeded  in  resisting  it.  Such  a  rush  would  probably  have  proved 
fatal,  for  the  tree  could  hardly  have  withstood  the  increased  strain. 
As  it  was  I  proceeded  as  rapidly  as  safety  would  permit.  I  was 
still  about  five  or  six  feet  from  the  coveted  brink,  when  a  loud 
crash  behind  me  announced  that  the  threatened  catastrophy  was  at 
hand.  I  had  no  time  to  walk  the  rest  of  the  way.  Before  making 
another  step  the  tree  would  be  at  the  bottom  of  the  canon,  and  I, 
of  course,  with  it.  A  moment's  hesitation  would  be  fatal;  so, 
gathering  all  my  remaining  strength,  I  made  a  mighty  spring  and 
landed  safely  on  the  ledge.  The  danger,  however,  was  by  no 
means  past.  The  top  of  the  tree  lying  on  the  bank  had  numerous 
branches  which  now  made  a  backward  sweep,  impelled  by  the  rapid 
downward  motion  of  the  butt,  F  had,  fortunately,  sufficient 
presence  of  mind  left  to  t'orsee  this  new  peril,  and  therefore,  made 
a  second  spring  aside.  This  movement  saved  me.  I  was  still  in 
the  air  when  the  branches  swept  by  so  closely  that  the  thin  twigs 
struck  me  in  the  face,  but  with  sufficient  force  to  neither  injure  nor 
pull  me  back.  AVith  a  shudder  of  relief  I  heard  the  crash  with 
which  the  tree  struck  the  bottom  of  the  canon,  and  then  sank  on 
the  ground,  too  much  exhausted  to  think  of  anything  but  rest. 
There  I  lay  for  hours,  and  it  was  only  the  necessity  of  seeking 
shelter  and  food  before  nightfall  which  finally  brought  me  to  my 
feet.  Nor  did  I  travel  far.  A  tramp  of  two  or  three  miles  brought 
me  to  the  pleasant  place  where  I  am  now  encamped.  A  clear 
brook  runs  by  me.  I  am  dispatching  a  pheasant  which  I  was 
fortunate  enough  to  kill  and,  what  is  infinitely  better,  I  think  I 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  165 

am  near  human  habitations,  for  I  heard  a  sound  which  can  be 
nothing  else  than  the  whistle  of  an  engine  or  a  locomotive.  I 
might  have  found  out  to-night,  but  am  too  tired  to  think  of  any 
thing  but  sleep. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

RECONVALESCENCE. 

Here  the  diary  ended  ;  but  Inez  gazed  at  the  letters  like  one  in 
a  trance.  Nor  is  this  a  wonder,  for  the  reading  had  affected  her  in 
a  twofold  way.  The  adventures  of  the  writer  were  surely  startling 
enough  in  themselves  to  captivate  the  reader ;'  but  the  chief  charm 
in  Inez's  eyes  was  the  pure  and  noble  character  beaming  from  every 
word.  The  sorrow  for  Anton's  death  had  drawn  tears  from  her 
eyes  :  every  expression  of  sympathy  for  the  poor  and  oppressed 
had  awakened  an  echo  in  her  breast  ;  every  thought  and  observa 
tion  created  the  liveliest  interest  in  her  mind.  How  her  father 
would  glory  in  the  result  of  his  principles  of  education.  How  he 
would  become  young  once  more  over  the  enthusiasm  of  his  ward. 
How . 

Here  a  sickening  thought  overpowered  her.  She  had  entirely 
forgotten  the  perilous  condition  in  which  she  found,  and  indeed 
left,  the  writer  of  this  journal,  and  now,  when  this  remembrance 
returned,  she  trembled  at  the  possibility  of  again  losing  a  treasure 
so  strangely  found.  For  a  moment  she  felt  like  awakening  her 
father,  but  the  thought  that,  by  doing  so  she  would  merely  disturb 
his  rest  without  mending  the  matter,  caused  her  to  abandon  the 
idea  as  quickly  as  she  had  conceived  it.  No  sleep  came  to  her  that 
night,  and  she  looked  so  pale  and  worn  in  the  morning  that  her 
father,  meeting  her  on  the  porch  early  in  the  morning,  noticed  her 
condition  at  once,  and  said : 

"  Why,  Inez,  what  ails  you  ?  You  look  as  if  you  had  not  closed 
an  eye  last  night." 

"  Nor  did  I,  father  dear," 


1(>6  The  Treasure  of  MontezuDia. 

"  Well,  what  is  the  matter  then?  You  are  not  sick,  I  hope?  " 
"No,  papa  ;  but  the  condition  of  poor  Arthur,  you  know 


Herbert  shook  his  head.  "  You  women  are  queer  creatures," 
lie  said  musingly.  "A  fellow  may  be  ever  so  unworthy  of  your 
esteem,  but  let  him  get  hurt  and  you  open  the  fountains  of  your 
sympathy  and  go  even  so  far  as  to  loose  your  sleep  over  the  matter. 
I  must  put  iu  a  decided  veto  to  such  nonsense." 

Inez  smiled.  "  What  will  you  wager  father,  in  fifteen  minutes 
you  "will  be  even  more  nervous  and  excited  than  I  am  now  ?  " 

"  Why  ?     Did  you  receive  bad  news  from  the  sick  room  ?  " 

"No,  but  I  was  just  on  the  point  of  begging  you  to  order  the 
carriage  and  drive  with  me  to  the  farm  where  he  lies." 

"  But  would  not  the  street  cars  answer  as  well  ?  " 

"  No,  father,  for  I  have  to  tell  you  ever  so  many  things  not  in 
tended  for  strange  ears." 

"You  excite  my  curiosity  child;  but  have  your  way.  Get 
ready  while  I  have  the  carriage  brought  out." 

As  Inez  went  in  to  do  her  father's  bidding,  Clara  rushed  up  to 
her  and,  grasping  her  arm  with  a  vehemence  bordering  on  rude 
ness,  she  said  :  "He  is  dead,  is  he?" 

"  Is  who?"  Inez  inquired,  wondering  at  this  new  freak  of  her 
maid,  who  had  lately  been  in  a  great  variety  of  moods. 

"  Why,  Sennor  Arturo,"  the  girl  said  anxiously.  "  They  meant 
to  hide  it  from  me,  but  I  know  that  something  dreadful  has 
happened  to  him,  and  I  want  to  go  and  nurse  him.  You  need  not 
try  to  hold  me  back,  for  I  am  bound  to  go,  even  if  you  bind  me 
with  chains  of  steel." 

Here  was  a  dilemma.  Inez  knew  the  passionate  nature  of  the 
girl  too  well  to  think  that  mere  remonstrances  wrould  be  of  any 
avail.  She  reflected  a  moment,  and  then  said  :  "  Clara,  the  person 
you  mean  is  as  Avell  as  you,  so  you  need  not  be  alarmed  ;  but  if  you 
will  be  quiet  and  act  like  a  sensible  girl,  1  Avill  allow  you  to  go  and 
nurse  the  patient  at  the  farm." 

"  But,  you  said  just  now  he  is  not  siek." 

"  And  I  repeat  what  I  said.  You  must  be  contented  with  this 
until  my  return." 

"  You  are  going  out?  " 

"Yes,  I  shall  take  a  ride  with  father." 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  167 

"Oh,  take  me  along,  Clara  plead,  folding  her  hands  as  if  in 
prayer."  Inez  was  slightly  vexed  at  this  persistency. 

"  Look  here,  Clara,"  she  said,  "  have  I  ever  lied  to  you?  " 

' '  The  Madonna  forbid." 

"Then,  why  can  you  not  trust  me  ?  He  on  whom  you  have 
set  your  foolish  heart  is  well.  There  is  a  gentleman  at  Summers' 
farm  who  got  badly  hurt  in  fighting  a  grizzly  bear,  and  if  you  will 
behave  you  shall  go  there  this  morning  and  nurse  him.  Here  is 
father  with  the  carriage,  so  good-bye." 

Inez  entered  the  carriage,  where  her  father  was  already  seated. 

"  Oh,  papa,"  she  cried  fervently;  "I  trust  lie  will  live,  else 
you  or  I  will  never  spend  another  happy  moment." 

"Listen,  father,"  she  continued,  seeing  that  he  was  on  the 
point  of  replying  and  reprimanding  her  for  what  he  had  good 
reasons  to  consider  undue  exaggeration.  "  Did  it  never  strike  you 
that  this  Arthur  Grau  might  possibly  be  an  impostor  ?  " 

Herbert  started,  and  for  a  moment  looked  anxiously  at  his 
daughter,  wondering  whether  he  could  discover  any  signs  of  mental 
aberration  ;  but  seeing  her  quite  rational,  he  said  with  a  slight 
tone  of  vexation  :  "Impostor?  What  put  that  strange  notion  into 
your  head  ?  " 

"I  have  my  reasons,  papa  ;  but  you  have  not  answered  my 
question." 

"See  here,  Inez,"  he  replied  instead,  "I  do  not  like  playing 
'possum,  so  if  you  have  made  any  discoveries,  I  should  like  to  know 
them  without  evasion  or  reservation." 

"  Oh,  papa,  I  meant  nothing  of  the  kind  ;  but  what  I  have  dis 
covered  is  so  joyous,  so  glorious  and  yet  so  sad  that  I  wanted  to 
break  the  news  gently  to  you. ' ' 

"  You  meant  well,  child,"  he  said  with  a  smile  ;  "  but  putting 
a  person  on  the  rack  is  rather  a  queer  way  of  breaking  the  news 
gently." 

Inez  saw  her  mistake,  and  began  without  delay  to  put  her 
father  in  possession  of  all  the  facts  which  the  reader  has  learned 
from  the  journal.  She  told  him  that  she  had  not  intended  to  be  in 
discrete,  but  the  presence  of  English  Avriting  and  of  a  Spanish  far 
superior  to  Arthur  Grau's  had  made  her  doubtful  as  to  the  pro* 
prietorship  of  the  book,  and  justified,  in  her  opinion,  a  closer  ex- 


168  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

animation.  Tlie  contents  had  so  captivated  her  that  .she  could  not 
tear  herself  away  from  the  perusal  until  she  was  through,  and  she 
now  thanked  the  stars  for  her  persistency.  As  she  proceeded  with 
her  strange  story,  the  expressson  of  Herbert's  face  changed  with 
her  communications.  Now  he  looked  simply  astounded  ;  then  in 
dignation  at  some  meanness  prevails  ;  but  both  astonishment  and 
indignation  vanished  as  the  narrative  went  on,  and  the  noble  char 
acter  of  the  writer  became  more  manifest  with  every  word.  When 
she  had  finished,  a  heavy  sigh  of  anxiety  as  well  as  relief  wrung 
itself  from  his  oppressed  bosom  and,  folding  his  hands,  he  said 
solemnly  : 

"  Oh  !  Ye  manes  of  my  departed  friend  !  How  deeply  I  have 
sinned  against  him  !  How  low  have  I  rated  the  judgment  of 
Anton  Stamm.  If  thy  spirit  still  exists,  hear  the  humble  confes 
sion  of  thy  erring  friend  !  " 

The  arrival  of  the  carriage  at  the  farm  prevented  him  from 
continuing.  How  different  were  his  feelings  from  those  with  which 
he  had  departed  from  the  place  the  evening  before.  It  would,  in 
deed,  be  difficult  for  him  to  analyze  them.  Of  course,  he  was  very 
anxious  about  the  dangerous  condition  of  the  patient,  but  never 
theless  he  felt  as  if  a  great  load  had  been  taken  from  his  mind. 
With  cautious  steps  he  and  Inez  entered  the  sick-room,  which  was 
darkened  to  improve  the  chances  of  the  sufferer's  recovery. 
Beckoning  the  nurse  to  his  side,  Herbert  inquired  : 

"  How  has  the  patient  passed  the  night  ?  " 

"Well  enough,  I  reckon,"  was  the  response.  "  May  be  you 
gave  him  something  to  produce  sleep,  for  he  has  stirred  only  now 
and  then,  and  gone  to  sleep  again  after  I  gave  him  a  drink  of 
water. 

Herbert  then  stepped  to  the  bed-side,  gazed  earnestly  at  the 
patient,  who  was  still  asleep,  felt  his  pulse,  and  then  said  to  Inez, 
who  was  waiting  for  his  decision  with  suspended  breath  and  a  beat 
ing  heart : 

"  This  is  truly  wonderful.  Hardly  a  symptom  of  fever.  Of 
course,  the  great  loss  of  blood  will  chain  him  to  his  bed  a  week  or 
two,  but  there  is  no  doubt  at  all  of  his  speedy  recovery." 

If  ever  Inez  had  been  inclined  to  shout  with  joy,  it  was  at  that 
moment.  But  the  patient  was  altogether  to  weak  for  such  noisy 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  1H9 

demonstrations,  to  say  nothing  of  the  decorum  which  her  maidenly 
dignity  imposed  upon  her  ;  so  she  contented  herself  with  shedding 
a  few  tears  of  joy,  and  embracing  and  kissing  her  father  fervent 
ly,  who  no  longer  wondered  at  such  manifestations,  but  returned 
her  caresses  with  an  ardor  showing  how  deeply  the  danger  of  los 
ing  his  newly  found  ward  had  affected  him. 

"  It  is  his  strong  constitution  and  his  sobriety  which  will  save 
him.  I  may  tell  you  that  the  other  would  not  have  recovered." 

Inez  shuddered  a  little,  then  said:  "Father,  as  there  is  no 
danger  now,  would  you  allow  Clara  to  assist  me  in  nursing  him  ? 
I  would  do  it  all  alone,  if  I  could  be  spared  at  the  Villa.  I  cannot 
think  of  leaving  him  in  the  care  of  this  rough  man,"  she  whispered 
in  his  ear. 

"Well,  have  your  way, "he  replied,  too  happy  for  saying  "no" 
to  anything  just  then.  "If  he  continues  mending  at  this  rate, 
we  can  remove  him  to  the  Villa  before  long  without  any  danger." 

A\rith  this  he  departed,  giving  Inez,  who  was  to  stay  until  the 
arrival  of  Clara,  the  few  simple  instructions  necessary.  Inez  took 
her  place  at  the  bed-side,  relieving  the  nurse,  who  retired  to  get 
some  sleep.  She  did  not  take  her  eyes  from  the  pale  but  still 
beautiful  features  of  the  patient,  and  a  subtle  delicious  sensation, 
such  as  she  never  experienced  before,  stole  over  her.  The  reader 
understands  it  was  love  which  thus,  for  the  first  time  stole  into  her 
virgin  soul.  Does  he  wonder  ?  He  surely  has  no  right  to,  for  if 
ever  love  at  first  sight  was  possible  and  justified,  it  was  then  and 
there.  This  youth  was  no  stranger  to  her.  She  had  known  of  him 
for  years.  She  had  shared  her  father's  fond  anticipations  of  his 
virtues  and  excellencies,  as  well  as  her  father's  disappointment  at 
the  apparent  frustration  of  his  hopes.  Now,  the  discovery  of  the 
fraud  practiced  upon  them  came  with  the  overwhelming  force  of 
an  avalanche,  sweeping  our  feelings  away  to  make  room  for  this 
new  and  rapturous  sensation.  To  complete  the  matter,  she  had  had 
a  chance  of  reading  his  soul,  and  there  discovered  beauties  as  great 
as  those  of  his  body.  And  should  she  not  have  fallen  in  love  with 
him  who  lay  there,  so  weak  and  -dependent  upon  her  tender  care 
for  every  little  service.  Reader,  if  you  still  insist  upon  the  im 
probability  of  such  an  occurrence,  you  simply  show  that  you  do 
not  understand  human  nature,  particularly  that  of  the  tender  sex. 


170  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

The  patient  did  not  once  open  his  eye?.  It  seemed  as  if  he  was 
bent  upon  sleeping  himself  back  into  health  and  strength.  Clara 
arrived  an  hour  after  Herbert's  departure.  As  she  approached  the 
bed-side,  she  started  back  and  uttered  a  light  scream,  which  caused 
the  sleeper  to  turn  uneasily.  Never  before  had  Inez  been  so  near 
becoming  real  angry.  With  a  look  before  which  the  other  quailed, 
she  said : 

"  One  more  such  a  silly  outbreak  and  you  leave  the  room,  never 
to  return." 

"Pardon  me,  Sennora,"  the  girl  said  humbly  enough. 
"  You  told  me  it  was  not  Arturo,  and  now  to  see  him  there 
after  all,  lying  so  still,  as  if  he  were  dead  was  more  than  I 
could  endure,  and  I  had  to  scream  in  anguish.  But  why  did  you 
deceive  me  as  to  his  identity '?  It  was  cruel  to  subject  me  to  this 
sudden  shock." 

"  What  I  told  you  is  literally  true.  This  gentleman  is  not  the 
Arthur  Grau  you  know,  but  his  cousin,  who  goes  by  the  same 
name.  It  is  true,  but  he  is  entirely  a  different  person  and  has  only 
arrived  here  yesterday." 

"  He  looks  very  much  like  my  Arturo,"  the  girl  persisted. 

"  Supposing  he  does,  that  is  no  reason  why  you  should  annoy 
him  with  your  nonsense.  He  may  awake  shortly  and  unless  you 
promise  to  act  like  a  discrete  and  sensible  girl  you  shall  not  stay 
here." 

Clara  saw  that  her  mistress  was  in  earnest,  and  as  she  longed 
with  all  her  soul  to  nurse  the  patient,  who  looked  so  much  like  her 
Arturo,  and  whom,  in  her  innermost  soul,  she  still  believed  to  be 
this  Arturo,  she  gave  the  solemn  promise  to  be  quiet  and  not  re 
tard  the  patient's  convalescence  by  any  folly  on  her  part.  With 
this  Ine/  departed,  saying  she  would  return  some  time  in  the  after 
noon. 

Clara  took  her  seat  and  watched  the  sleeper  with  the  same  in 
tensity  but  much  greater  passion  than  her  mistress.  She  had  been 
thus  engaged  for  nearly  half  afld  hour,  when  a  deep  sigh  of  the 
sleeper  indicated  his  speedy  approach  to  consciousness.  It  was, 
indeed,  only  a  minute  later  that  he  opened  his  eyes  and  looked 
with  the  expression  of  one  who  does  not  exactly  know  where  he  is. 


The  Treasure  of  Montezama.  171 

At  last  his  gaze  turned  upon  the  girl  at  the  bed-side,  and  remained 
fixed  there.  She  blushed  under  it  and  inquired  : 

"  How  do  you  feel,  Arturo?  " 

"Pretty  well,"  he  replied  in  Spanish  ;  "only  I  am  very  weak 
and  hungry.  But  where  am  I,  and  who  are  you,  who  seems  to 
know  my  name  ?  " 

Clara  did  not  reply  at  once.  This  voice  was  strange  to  her  ; 
nor  did  the  patient  seem  to  know  her,  a  circumstance  she  could  not 
comprehend,  as  she  still  refused  to  distrust  the  evidence  of  her 
eyes,  which  told  her  plainly  and  definitely  that  the  person  in  the 
bed  was  the  Arturo  she  had  known  for  months.  What  could  it 
mean  ?  Was  the  devil  in  the  play  ?  She  believed  in  his  satanic 
majesty  as  devoutly  as  in  the  benevolent  deity  which  she  had  been 
taught  to  worship.  It  must  surely  be  the  devil  Avho  had  brought 
this  about  to  discomfit  and  deprive  her  of  her  Arturo.  Sinking 
upon  her  knees  and  taking  his  hand  in  both  of  hers,  she  said  gently 
and  affectionately  : 

"Arturo,  don't  you  know  your  Clara,  who  thinks  so  much  of 
you  and  is  so  glad  to  see  you  getting  well  ? ' ' 

The  patient's  face  wore  a  puzzled  look,  as  he  replied  : 

"Indeed,  my  girl,  I  haven't  the  slightest  idea  who  you  are, 
nor  where  I  am,  and  if  you  will  be  kind  enough  to  enlighten  me 
on  this  subject  I  shall  be  much  obliged  to  you.  But  say  :  couldn't 
you  let  me  have  something  to  eat  ?  I  am  really  as  hungry  as  a 
wolf  ?  " 

Fortunately  Herbert  had  foreseen  such  a  contingency,  and 
ordered  some  beef-broth  to  be  prepared,  which  Clara  now  handed 
him,  and  which  the  patient  drank  with  the  greatest  relish. 

"  Is  this  all  ?  "  lie  asked  dolefully,  when  he  had  emptied  the 
bowl. 

"  There  is  some  more,  but  the  doctor  said  we  must  not  give  you 
too  much  at  once." 

"  The  doctor?  Am  I  sick  ?  Ouch,  my  arm  hurts.  Oh  !  now 
I  do  remember,  I  had  a  tussle  with  the  grizzly,  who  nearly  finished 
me.  But  how  did  I  get  into  this  bed,  and  who  is  it  that  takes  such 
kind  cave  of  me  ?  ' ' 

Clara  sadly  shook  her  head.  "  The  bear  must  have  hurt  you 
worse  than  you  think  or  the  evil  one  must  have  obscured  your 


172  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

memory,  else  you  surely  would  not  have  forgotten  me  with  whom 
you  have  conversed  more  than  a  hundred  times." 

"  I  don't  think  the  old  harry  had  anything  to  do  with  it ;"  the 
patient  said  with  a  twinkle  of  humor  in  his  eye  ;  "but  it  is  cer 
tainly  strange  that  jou  should  stick  to  that  opinion  so  tenaciously." 

"What  is  my  second  name,  if  you  please?" 

"  Arturo  Grayo?" 

"  The  puzzled  look  on  the  patient's  face  deepened." 

"  That  is  the  name  Spanin'ed,  1  reckon,"  he  said.  "  Do  you 
know  anything  else  about  me?  " 

"  You  are  the  nephew  of  Father  Herbert  Grayo,  and  came  here 
last  Fall  to  stay  with  him." 

"Well,  I  give  it  up.  If  this  is  madness  it  has  at  least  the 
merit  of  consistency.  But  I  feel  too  drowsy  now  to  study  it  out." 

His  eyes  closed  and  soon  his  regular  breathing  indicated  that  lie 
was  once  more  in  the  arms  of  slumber.  An  hour  later  Herbert 
made  his  appearance  and  inquired  whether  the  patient  had  been 
awake  during  his  absence.  Clara  told  him  what  had  occurred  ; 
also  that  he  had  said  he  was  very  hungry  and  had  only  drank  a 
bowl  full  of  broth,  but  asked  for  more.  Herbert  nodded  his  head 
approvingly,  and  then  left,  saying  he  was  very  busy  and  could  not 
call  again  before  the  evening.  Clara  took  her  dinner  at  the  farm. 
At  one  o'clock  Inez  returned,  telling  her  that  she  was  needed  at 
the  Villa,  but  might  watch  during  the  night.  The  girl  was  evi 
dently  dissatisfied  with  this  arrangement,  but  did  not  venture  any 
remonstrance,  since  the  voice  of  her  mistress  was  more  than  com 
monly  decisive  in  its  accents.  Wrheu  asked  about  the  patient,  she 
confessed  that  he  had  been  awake  and  denied  all  previous  knowl 
edge  of  Friedensthal.  From  this  Inez  concluded  that  the  girl  still 
clung  to  her  previous  belief  of  the  patient's  identity  with  the  other 
Arthur,  but  she  made  no  attempt  to  convince  her  of  her  mistake, 
judging  that  her  own  experience  would  soon  accomplish  that.  She 
might  have  feared  that  the  girl's  words  and  her  passionate  manner 
might  injure  the  patient,  if  her  father  had  not  assured  her  that  the 
young  man  was  entirely  out  of  danger,  and  recovering  much  faster 
than  he  had  dared  to  hope.  AVhen  Clara  had  gone,  Inez  took  her 
former  place  and  resumed  the  pleasant  occupation  of  building 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  173 

castles  in  the  air  and  gazing  upon  the  tranquil  features  of  the 
sleeper. 

About  four  o'clock  he  became  restless  in  his  slumber,  and,  a 
moment  later,  opened  his  eyes.  Once  more  they  wandered  over 
the  room  and  then  turned  to  the  place  where  the  owner  recollected 
to  have  seen  a  pleasant  vision.  Inez  waited  their  arrival  with 
bated  breath.  What  would  the  moment  bring  ?  Would  his  first 
impression  of  her  be  genial,  or  would  he  miss  and  long  for  his 
nurse  of  the  morning  ?  Now  his  glance  rests  on  her.  A  smile 
passes  over  his  features,  but  gives  way  to  surprise  on  seeing  a 
strange  face.  Had  he  merely  dreamed,  and  was  this  really  his  first 
return  to  consciousness?  He  must  find  out. 

"  Who  are  you?  "  he  inquired.  "  Did  I  not  awake  this  morn 
ing,  and  now  find  another  nurse  at  my  bed-side  ?" 

"  You  did,  Arthur  ;  but  she  was  called  away  and  I  have  taken 
her  place." 

There  again  ;  this  girl,  too,  knows  his  name  and  will,  of  course, 
insist  upon  his  having  been  here  for  months. 

"  You  know  my  name  ?  "  he  said  with  a  heavy  sigh. 

"Yes  I  do,"  she  said  with  a  smile  ;  "  but  I  have  no  desire  to 
mystify  you.  I  found  your  diary  at  the  place  where  you  had 
struggled  with  the  bear,  and  from  it  learned  your  history.  Don't 
judge  hastily,"  she  continued,  seeing  a  look  of  wonder  and  a  slight 
frown  on  his  face.  ' '  I  had  weighty  reasons  for  reading  your  notes, 
which  will  fully  exonerate  me  in  your  eyes  when  you  learn  them. 
But  have  you  no  idea  where  you  are  ?  " 

"None  whatever,  unless  I  had  indeed  the  good  fortune  of 
stumbling  upon  the  place  I  was  in  search  of." 

"  You  had,  Arthur,  for  you  are  in  Friedensthal,  and  in  care  of 
your  friends." 

A  gleam  of  joy  flitted  across  his  features. 

"  Then  I  am  richly  repaid  for  all  my  hardships,"  he  said ;  "but 
who  are  you  who  so  kindly  charges  herself  with  the  care  of  an  in 
valid  stranger  ? " 

"  I  am  Inez  Grau,  Herbert's  daughter ;  "  she  replied,  a  vivid 
blush  suffusing  her  lovely  features,  and  lighting  them  up  to  a  re 
doubled  beauty.  Another  ray  of  joy  passed  over  Arthur's  face, 


174  The  Treasure  of  Montezintia. 

which  showed  too  plainly  his  ardent  admiration  for  the  vision  be 
fore  him  to  be  mistaken. 

"My  cousin,  then,"  he  said,  holding  out  his  hand,  "a  cousin, 
too,  of  whom  I  had  no  knowledge  whatever;  will  you  give  me  a 
welcome  in  your  father's  house?" 

"Will  I!"  she  replied,  smiling  through  tears,  which  would 
persist  in  coursing  down  over  her  cheeks.  "  Believe  me,  Arthur, 
when  I  say  that  the  day  of  your  arrival  was  a  festive  day  in  our 
house,  only  marred  by  the  perilous  condition  in  which  I  found 
you." 

"You  found. me!"  he  exclaimed,  still  holding  her  hand,  al 
though  there  was  really  no  necessity  for  such  a  demonstration. 

"jThen  I  surely  owe  you  my  life." 

"Oh,  no  ;  you  owe  that  merely  to  your  constitution,  which,  as 
papa  says,  is  tougher  than  that  of  a  grizzly. " 

He  laughed,  but  said  insistingly  :  "that  may  all  be  ;  but  the 
strongest  constitution  will  give  out,  if  left  to  itself  in  predicaments 
such  as  Mr.  Bruin  had  put  mo.  But  is  this  your  home,  and  will 
I  soon  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  your  father,  to  whom  I  owe 
more  than  life  ?" 

tShe  smiled  a  happy  smile  at  the  recognition  of  her  father's 
merit. 

"No,  this  is  not  our  home,  but  a  farm  house  near  the  place 
where  you  had  the  struggle  with  the  bear.  My  father  was  here 
twice  this  morning,  and  will  call  again  in  the  evening.  His  duties 
are  so  manifold  and  pressing  that  he  can  call  but  little  of  his  time 
his  own." 

"I  can  understand  that  easily;  but  how  do  you  explain  the 
persistency  with  which  my  nurse  insisted  upon  having  seen  me  be 
fore  ?  Has  she,  too,  had  access  to  my  journal?" 

"  How  can  you  ask  ?  "  she  said  reproachfully.  "  To  explain 
•this  freak  to  you,  I  must  disclose  to  you  a  record  of  depravity 
painful  to  imagine,  but  more  painful  to  behold." 

"  Prepare  for  the  distressing  necessity  of  abandoning  faith  in 
those  you  have  respected  hitherto.  I  hope  what  you  will  hear  will 
not  destroy  your  faith  in  humanity  altogether." 

He  did  not  reply,  looking  merely  wonderingly  into  her  excited 
countenance.  She  now  told  him  as  concisely  as  possible  the  fraud 


The  Treasure  of  Montemma.  175 

practised  upon  them  by  the  pseudo  Arthur,  whose  wonderful  like 
ness  to  the  true  one  alone  had  prevented  an  earlier  discovery." 

"  Indeed,"  she  said,  "the  conception  of  such  a  scheme  is  so  much 
below  my  father's  nobility  that  he  is  entirely  incapable  of  conceiv 
ing  it." 

"  But  how  did  Arthur  get  the  letters?  "  the  young  man  asked 
himself  musingly. 

"  I  think  you  are  in  the  same  boat  Avith  papa,"  she  said  with  a 
smile;  "  I  think  I  see  through  the  whole  thing  as  plainly  as  if 
there  were  a  hole  in  it." 

"Well,  in  that  case,  favor  me  with  an  explanation,  fair 
cousin." 

"Very  well.  To  begin  with,  Philip  Grau  secured  the  affec 
tions  of  Bertha  Stamra." 

"  You  think  so  ?  " 

"  I  know  it.  In  the  second  place,  he  got  her  to  steal  the 
letters.' ' 

"  Cousin — but  wait,  you  have  not  given  me  your  name  ?  " 

"  They  call  me  Inez,  Cousin  Arthur." 

"What  a  beautiful  name.  It  strikes  me  they  might  have 
hunted  the  whole  dictionary  over  without  rinding  a  sweeter  and 
more  appropriate  one.  But  I  was  going  to  say  Inez,  are  you  not  a 
little  too  hard  on  poor  Bertha  ?" 

"Hardly.  For  else,  how  should  Philip  have  got  possession  of 
the  letter  ?  " 

"But  it  was  Arthur  who  had  it,  not  Philip." 

"  He,  too,  must  have  had  it,  else  how  would  he  have  found  the 
secret  of  the  settlement ;  and  what  is  more,  the  way  to  it." 

"The  way  to  it,  Inez?"  the  young  man  asked  quite  bewildered. 
"  You  do  not  mean  to  say  that  Philip  Gran  - 

"  Is  here  ?  "  she  interrupted  him.  "That  is  the  very  thing  I 
was  going  to  say." 

"But  you  set  my  brain  in  a  whirl  ;  who  of  the  two  brothers 
presented  the  letter  ?  " 

"Arthur,  to  be  sure  ;  but  Philip  got  in  on  the  knowledge  of  its 
contents,  pretending  that  you  had  confided  the  secret  to  him  un 
solicited  in  a  drunken  brawl." 


176  The  Treasure  of  Montezinna. 

"The  scoundrel!  Then  they  played  the  rascally  game 
together  ?  " 

"  No,  at  least  I  think  not.  I  remember  that  about  the  time  of 
their  arrival  there  was  a  story  concerning  a  robbery  practiced  upon 
a  high  German  official.  This  official,  I  warrant,  was  Philip,  and 
the  robber,  hi*  brother,  who,  finding  the  letter,  took  it  into  his 
head  to  play  your  role." 

"  But  that  would  stamp  him  as  a  common  highway  robber?  " 

"  He  is  nothing  better  Arthur.  You  cannot  conceive  the  grief 
which  his  low  principles  and  dissolute  haHts  have  inflicted  upon  my 
poor  father.  The  sons  seem  to  take  after  their  father.  You  know 
from  the  diary  how  he  wronged  your  father." 

';  Yes,  but  from  that  alone,  for  he  never  told  me.  I  can  now 
understand  why  he  called  the  street  on  which  we  live  Laura 
street " 

' '  Poor  father  Herbert !  " 

"  Yes,  he  will  be  a  father  to  you,  Arthur;  and  a  noble  father 
you  will  have.  You  have  no  idea  of  the  grandeur  of  his  plans, 
and  may  well  consider  yourself  fortunate  to  be  allowed  to  partici 
pate  in  them.  They  extend  to  all  parts  of  the  world." 

"  Stop,  a  moment,  Ine/  ;  has  he  not  started  settlements  in  Ger 
many,  Austria,  Spain  and  England?  " 

"  Indeed  he  has,  and  they  are  all  flourishing  as  well  as  the 
jealousy  of  the  authorities  will  permit." 

Then  I  have  crossed  your  father's  tracks  before  on  more  than 
one  occasion.  In  England  it  was  Sir  Grey;  in  Spain,  Sennor 
Grayo ;  now  I  see  these  names  are  mere  translations  of  the 
German  "  Grau."  I  wonder  why  Father  Anton  would  never  let 
me  know." 

"  It  was  by  papa's  express  induction.  He  did  not  want  you  to 
grow  up  with  any  other  expectations  than  those  based  upon  your 
own  exertions." 

"  And  wisely  has  he  acted  in  this  as  in  all  other  measures  re 
gulating  my  education.  But  can  you  tell  me  why  he  thus  covers 
up  his  tracks  so  carefully  ?  " 

"  Yes,  Arthur.  His  philanthropic  plans  are  an  eye-sore  to  all 
enemies  to  human  liberty,  and  if  he  did  not  work  under  cover,  as 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  177 

he  does,  they  would  soon  put  an  end  to  his  projects  by  putting  an 
end  to  him." 

"  But  this  is  a  burning  shame.  "Why  do  not  the  masses  rise  in 
support  of  their  friend  and  benefactor?" 

"  Many  are  too  ignorant  of  their  true  interests,  others  are  afraid. 
To  instruct  the  former,  he  has  started  and  upholds  in  many  parts 
of  the  world  newspapers,  advocating  his  principles.  For  the  same 
purpose  he  has  established  colonies  in  various  countries,  thinking, 
as  he  says,  that  seeing  is  the  best  mode  of  convincing." 

' '  And,  Friedensthal  ? ' ' 

"Is  the  place  where  lie  can  best  put  his  views  into  operation 
without  fear  of  serious  opposition.  You  have  had  a  taste  of  the 
difficulties  in  the  way  to  an  invasion  of  our  settlement." 

"Very  decided;"  Arthur  said  laughing;  "but  is  the  access 
equally  difficult  at  all  other  points?  " 

"It  is.  To  my  knowledge,  you  are  the  first  person  that  ever 
achieved  a  passage  over  our  mountain  walls." 

"  So  that  I  have  certainly  the  right  of  being  proud  of  my 
achievement." 

"  Indeed  you  have,  though  you  have,  in  a  measure,  shaken  our 
faith  in  the  impregnability  of  our  natural  fortress." 

"  AVell,  I  have  an  idea  that  you  have  to  fear  nothing  short  of 
a  regular  army." 

"  Which  is  not  likely  to  take  the  trouble.  The  Mexican  army 
we  may  safely  laugh  at,  and  as  to  the  European  moguls,  they  have 
fortunately  too  much  to  do  at  home  to  trouble  themselves  about 
us." 

"And  is  Friedensthal  large?  " 

"  We  number  about  100,000  souls  ;  but,"  she  continued,  laugh 
ingly,  on  seeing  his  wonderment ;  "I  am  not  going  to  spoil  the 
pleasant  surprise  in  store  for  you  by  letting  the  cat  prematurely  out 
of  the  bag ;  so,  please,  Sennor  Arturo,  abstain  from  all  further 
questions.  It  is,  moreover,  nearly  six  o'clock,  and  therefore,  time 
for  Papa  to  be  here.  Ah,  I  thought  so;  there  he  is  just  alighting 
from. the  street-car." 

Arthur  was  rather  nervous  to  meet  a  man  who  had  done  so 
much  for  him,  and  who,  in  his  opinion,  ranked  far  above  all  those 
figure-heads  whom  blind  chance  has  placed  in  high  positions  and 

12 


178  The  Treasure  of  Monteziima. 

most  of  whom  would  be  mere  ciphers  if  born  in  humble  circum 
stances.  It  was  with  a  reverence  approaching  awe  that  he  looked 
upon  Herbert  Grau,  and  the  idea  that  he  was  to  sustain  to  him  the 
relation  of  a  son  was  too  strange  to  be  appreciated  by  him  at  once. 
But  when  Herbert  came  in,  took  him  warmly  by  the  hand  and, 
after  imprinting  a  fatherly  kiss  of  welcome  upon  his  forehead,  be 
gan  to  talk  in  his  amiable  way,  Arthur  lost  all  restraint  and  soon 
entered  with  spirit  into  the  conversation. 

"  When  you  are  stronger,"  Herbert  said,  in  the  course  of  his  re 
marks,  "you  must  tell  us  all  about  your  encounter  with  the  grizzly. 
This  is  the  second  one  I  have  known  of  in  this  valley.  They  are 
not  indigenous  here,  of  that  I  am  sure  ;  I.  think  there  must  be 
some  secret  passage  of  which  we  have  no  knowledge.  .But  let 
me  feel  your  pulse,  my  lad ;  there,  I  thought  so,  for  you  look 
flushed.  The  fever  has  set  in.  I  fear  we  have  brought  it  on  with 
our  gossip,  or  at  least  come  to  its  assistance,  cranks  that  we  are. 
Not  another  word  now.  I  shall  leave  you  some  sedative  powders 
and  then,  with  this  talkative  daughter  of  mine,  take  my  leave  not 
to  return  before  the  morning.  Xor  will  I  allow  Clara  to  watch 
here  to-night,  as  she  would  give  but  a  slim  chance  to  sleep.  Oh,  you 
need  not  looked  scared,  child  ;  he  is  not  going  to  die  ;  but  if  I  gave 
your  mobile  tongues  a  chance  they  might  finally  bring  about  such 
a  result.  So,  say  good  night,  and  then  away  with  you." 

On  reaching  the  Villa,  Herbert  told  Clara  that  she  was  not  to 
watch  at  the  sick-bed  that  night,  and,  to  Inez's  surprise,  she  received 
this  injunction  with  apparent  resignation.  If  she  had  been  present 
at  an  interview  which  Philip  had  had  with  the  girl  that  afternoon, 
she  would  not  have  been  siirprised  at  the  change  in  the  girl's  dis 
position  towards  the  newcomer.  Benefiting  by  the  absence  of  both 
Herbert  and  Inez,  Philip  had  called  the  girl  aside  and  said  :  "Clara, 
I  am  going  to  tell  you  something  which  will  prove  to  you  how  much 
confidence  I  place  in  your  intelligence  and  discretion.  You  must 
not  tell  a  word  to  anybody,  do  you  hear?" 
"  Is  it- about  Arturo  ?  " 

"  Yes,  child,  about  him  ;  but  you  have  not  promised  yet." 
"  I  will  not  speak,  even  if  they  try  ever  so  hard  to  make  me." 
"  That  is  right  ;  I  knew  you  to  be  a  plucky  girl.    Well,  Arthur 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  179 

had  a  fallout  with  his  uncle  and  has  thought  it  best  to  hide  for  a 
while." 

Clara  shook  her  head,  saying  emphatically  ;  "  Arturo  is  sick  in 
bed  at  Sommers'  farm." 

"  No,  Clara,  not  he,  but  a  cousin  of  his,  who  looks  very  much 
like  him." 

"  I  have  seen  him  with  my  own  eyes,"  she  persisted. 

"So  have  I,  you  goosey,"  he  retorted,  vexed  at  her  contradic 
tion.  "  Don't  you  think  I  know  my  own  brother  ?  " 

"  Your  brother  !  "  she  exclaimed  in  surprise. 

"  Yes,  my  brother.  If  I  take  you  into  my  confidence  I  may  as 
well  make  a  clean  breast  of  it." 

"But,  where  is  Arturo?  I  have  not  seen  a  trace  of  him  for 
two  days." 

"  How  could  you  when  he  has  hidden?  Didn't  I  tell  you  he 
had  a  difficulty  with  his  relatives  and  thought  it  best  to  disappear 
for  a  while  ?  " 

"Where  is  he?  I  will  not  believe  you,  unless  you  show  him 
to  me." 

"  Quite  complimentary,"  he  said,  shrugging  his  shoulders.  For 
tunately  I  can  comply  with  your  demand.  Do  you  know  the  old 
gold  mine  in  the  mountain  ?  " 

"I  do,  Sennor." 

"  Well,  your  sweetheart  is  there." 

"  I  shall  go  to-morrow  morning  and  see,"  she  replied  laconically. 

"  That  suits  me  to  a  T,"  he  said  ;  "  but  you  must  be  cautious 
and  not  excite  the  suspicion  of  these  indian  bloodhounds  who,  I 
verily  believe  have  been  on  my  track  for  quite  a  while.  And  see 
here  ;  Arthur  needs  some  clean  linen  and  articles  of  toilet;  would 
you  charge  yourself  with  taking  them  to  him  ?  " 

"  Get  them  ready  at  once  and  I  will  take  them  to  him." 
"That's  a  good  girl ;  but  you  do  not  intend  to  leave  this  even- 
ing?  "  _ 

"  Si,  Sennor,  though  I  shall  not  go  all  the  way  this  evening,  but 
sleep  at  Carlos'  farm." 

"Well,  do  as  you  see  proper;  I  shall  make  up  the  bundle 
without  delay,  so  that  you  may  not  be  retarded  on  that  account." 

This,  then,  was  the  reason  Clara  did  not  care  to  watch  at  the 


180  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

sick  bed  that  night.  It  explains  also,  why  she  said  to  her  mistress 
shortly  afterwards  :  "  Sister  Marguerite  wants  me  at  the  farm  ;  can 
I  go  and  stay  until  to-morrow  evening?" 

Inez  looked  a  little  surprised  at  this  request,  but,  as  she  had  no 
reason  to  doubt  the  girl's  veracity,  she  said  indifferently  :  "  Yes, 
you  may  go,  but  there  will  be  a  good  deal  of  work  at  the  Villa  be 
fore  long;  try,  therefore,  to  be  back  as  soon  as  you  can." 

After  supper  Philip  managed  to  slip  a  small  bundle  into  her 
hands,  which  she  hid  under  her  mantilla,  leaving  the  premises  about 
dusk.  She  returned  about  the  same  time  the  next  evening,  much 
more  cheerful  than  when  she  departed.  On  passing  Philip,  she 
slipped  a  note  into  his  hand  which  ran  as  follows : 
"  Brother  Philip  :— 

Your  message  came  handy,  for  this  retreat  of  mine  is  exceed 
ingly  dull,  and  any  little  pastime  welcome.  If  only  sfnother  per 
son  whom  I  need  not  name,  was  half  as  fond  of  me  as  this  little 
girl.  I  feel  almost  sorry  that  I  cannot  return  her  love  as  she  de 
serves.  You  need  not  urge  me  to  depart,  for  the  life  I  lead  here  is 
tedious  enough  to  make  any  change  welcome.  Let  me  know  when 
you  are  ready,  and  I  shall  follow  your  injunctions  without  fail. 

Yours  etc., 

ARTHUR  GRAU." 

Philip  nodded  contentedly.  "Of  him  at  least  I  shall  soon  be 
rid,"  he  muttered  ;  "  but  the  arrival  of  this  goody-goody  is  a  serious 
impediment  in  my  way.  What  am  I  to  say  to  him  ?  How  am  I  to 
explain  the  fibs  I  told  about  the  letters?  I  must  trust  to  the  in 
spiration  of  the  moment.  As  to  the  mistake  of  taking  my  brother 
for  my  cousin,  the  marvelous  resemblance  of  the  two  makes  such  a 
mistake  quite  excusable.  Of  course,  I  cannot  sail  under  this  false 
flag  very  long,  but  for  a  while  it  must  do.  I  suppose  they  do  sus 
pect  me  even  now,  but  what  is  the  difference,  if  they  will  only  tol 
erate  me  long  enough  to  carry  out  my  scheme.  There  is  that  red 
rascal,  sneaking  about  again.  How  I  hate  the  fellow,  and  how  I 
would  like  to  give  him  a  taste  of  my  revolver  !  AVell,  who  knows, 
the  day  may  come  when  I  shall  have  a  chance  to  get  even  with 
him." 

But  it  is  time  to  return  to  our  patient,  who  passed  a  feverish 
Txight,  as  Herbert  had  foretold  he  would.     The  flesh  wounds  of  his 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  181 

arm  were  no  trifle,  and  strong  though  as  his  constitution  was,  he 
could  not  hope  to  escape  altogether  the  laws  to  which  human  nature 
is  subject.  In  the  morning,  however,  he  was  much  better,  and 
when  Herbert  and  his  daughter  arrived,  was  able  to  respond 
cheerfully  to  their'questions.  Herbert,  however,  would  allow  only 
those  absolutely  necessary,  and  when  Inez  declared  her  intention  to 
stay  and  nurse  her  cousin,  lie  granted  his  permission  only  on  her 
solemn  pledge  that  she  would  totally  abstain  from  drawing  him  into 
conversation,  or  even  answering  his  questions.  This  she  did  in  good 
faith,  for  she  was  too  sensible  to  jeopardize  his  safety  to  a  transitory 
Pleasure.  She  nestled  in  her  cosy  chair,  close  to  his  side,  and  once 
more  indulged  in  the  study  of  the  features  so  noble  and  fair.  Nor 
did  she  try  to  avoid  his  glances,  which  turned  to  her  quite  as  often 
as  hers  to  him.  At  such  times  a  slight  flush  would  rise  to  her  tem 
ples,  heightening  her  beauty  and  causing  the  young  man  to  ask 
himself  whether  he  had  ever  before  seen  such  charms  combined. 
How  utterly  insignificant  Bertha  now  appeared  to  him.  How  he  won 
dered  that  he  could  ever  have  endured  the  thought  of  a  union  with 
her.  How  irksome  the  recollection  of  such  an  obligation  did  sud 
denly  become,  and  how  determined  he  was  to  try  every  honorable 
means  of  freeing  himself  from  fetters  which  had  all  at  once  become 
unbearable. 

The  unpointed  strength  and  vigorous  constitution  of  our  hero 
combatted  the  fever  much  more  effectually  than  Herbert's  drugs, 
although  we  are  by  no  means  inclined  to  undervalue  them.  The 
fourth  day  after  Arthur's  installment  at  the  farm  house,  the  doc 
tor  declared  that  his  removal  to  the  Villa  could  now  be  carried  out 
without  any  danger.  At  this  announcement  Inez's  eyes  sparkled 
with  undisguised  delight.  Much  as  she  had  enjoyed  his  company  at 
the  farm-house,  there  was  the  constant  resti'aint  rendered  necessary 
by  the  presence  of  strangers,  and  when  the  young  man  was  carried 
into  the  room  of  the  Villa  previously  prepared  for  him,  she  felt  that 
only  at  that  moment  he  had  truly  been  given  to  them. 

Philip  had  gladly  profited  by  the  doctor's  interdiction  of  all 
visits.  The  moment  when  he  could  no  longer  avoid  facing  his 
cousin  would  come  soon  enough  without  anticipating  it.  But  it  had 
now  arrived,  and  Philip  felt  that  he  could  not  avoid  seeing  Arthur 
without  subjecting  himself  to  the  very  suspicion  he  was  anxious  to 


182  The  Treasure  of  Monteziuiia. 

escape.  So,  nerving  himself  for  the  meeting,  he  knocked  at  the 
door,  and  upon  a  ready  "come  in,"  entered  the  apartment.  The 
patient  was  still  in  bed,  but  had  his  head  propped  up  with  a  cushion. 
He  was  still  very  pale,  but  the  judicious  treatment  of  Herbert  and 
his  lovely  if  not  able  assistant,  and  more  yet,"  the  delicious  con 
sciousness  of  being  with  true  friends,  had  put  Arthur  far  on  the 
road  to  convalescence.  Inez  was  sitting  near  the  window,  holding; 
a  magazine  from  which  she  had  probably  read  to  the  invalid.  A 
pang  of  jealousy  shot  through  Philip's  breast ;  for,  though  he  was 
not  able  to  love  anybody  but  himself,  he  was  fully  capable  of  feel 
ing  that  envy  which  low  natures  experience  at  the  good  fortune  of 
others.  When  Arthur  saw  and  recognized  the  person  entering,  a 
faint  flush  overspread  his  face ;  but  before  he  had  time  to  analyze 
his  feelings,  Philip  rushed  up  to  him,  seized  both  hands,  and  press 
ing  them  fervently,  said:  "Arthur,  dear  Cousin  Arthur,  how 
glad  I  am  to  see  you  !" 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say  so  ;  I  suppose  you  had  not  expected 
to  see  me  arrive  here  so  soon  after  you  ?  " 

"On  the  contrary,  you  forget  that  I  was,  until  recently,  under 
the  impression  of  having  met  you  daily  for  several  months  past.  Is 
it  a  wonder  that  so  strange  a  resemblance  should  deceive  even  a 
brother  ?  ' ' 

"Perhaps  not,  but  you  in  turn,  forget  tiiat  you  started  before 
me,  and  had  no  right  to  expect  me  at  all." 

"  True,  but  actions  speak  stronger  than  words,  and  when  I  met 
a  person  pretending  to  be  Arthur  (Iran,  I  had  no  reason  to  disbe 
lieve  my  senses." 

"  Well,  let  that  rest.  You  seem  to  have  changed  your  opinion 
concerning  the  fabulous  Mexican  uncle  to  hunt  him  up  so  soon.  By 
the  by,  how  did  you  obtain  the  information,  the  absence  of  which 
came  near  ending  my  life  ?" 

Philip  sat  as  if  on  nettles.  There  was  a  touch  of  irony  in  his 
cousin's  voice  so  unlike  his  former  mode  of  speaking  that  he  felt 
greatly  disturbed  by  it.  At  the  same  time  he  knew  that  Inez's  eyes 
were  upon  him,  although  he  could  not  look  into  her  face  from  the 
place  he  occupied.  He  felt  very  uncomfortable,  and  was  more  em 
barrassed  than  he  perhaps  had  ever  been  before.  Inwardly  he 
cursed  both  Arthur  and  Inez,  and  vowed  that  he  would  pay  back 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  183 

with  interest  the  mental  torture  they  made  him  endure,  forgetting, 
like  most  persons  of  his  caliber  do  that  their  ability  of  torturing 
him  depended  largely  on  his  own  consciousness  of  guilt.  He  was, 
however,  too  consummate  a  master  in  the  art  of  dissimulation  not  to 
search  and  find  before  long  a  plausible  evasion  from  the  entangle 
ment  in  which  his  duplicity  had  placed  him. 

"I  dislike  to  abuse  the  confidence  of  my  informant,  but  think 
you  are  entitled  to  know  the  truth.  I  owe  the  secret  to  a  member 
of  the  German  Embassy  in  Mexico,  to  whom  your  intemperate  sub 
stitute  confided  it  over  his  cups." 

"  But  how  in  the  world  did  your  brother  get  hold  of  the  letter  in 
question  ? ' ' 

"  That  is  as  much  a  mystery  to  me  as  to  you.  About  the  time 
of  Uncle  Stamm's  death  a  considerable  sum  of  money  was  stolen 
from  father's  secretary,  the  circumstances  of  the  theft  showing  per 
fect  familiarity  with  the  premises.  We  never  obtained  a  clue  to  the 
thief ;  but  when  I  put  it  and  the  appearance  of  the  letter  in  Mexico 
together,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  my  wayward  brother  must 
have  paid  a  visit  to  Germany  at  that  time." 

A  plausible  story,  certainly,  but  it  failed  to  find  credence  with 
the  two  listeners,  and  although  they  Avere  too  well-bred  to  betray 
their  incredulity  in  words,  their  demeanor  served  him  as  an  index 
to  their  thoughts,  and  showed  the  intriguer  that  he  was  found  out. 
The  ground  seemed  literally  to  burn  under  Philip's  feet,  and  he  felt 
like  springing  up  and  rushing  from  the  room.  But  our  Macchiav- 
elly  was  too  well  schooled  to  become  guilty  of  such  a  blunder.  Pre 
serving  the  greatest  outward  composure  and  a  mind  unruffled  by 
acrimony,  he  said,  rising  to  his  feet : 

"Uncle  Herbert  tells  me  that  you  must  not  be  disturbed  by 
long  visits  for  a  number  of  days  to  come,  and  I  shall  therefore  leave 
you.  I  found  it  impossible  to  resist  the  desire  of  shaking  hands 
and  congratulating  you  upon  your  narrow  escape  and  safe  arrival. 
When  you  are  stronger  we  must  resume  those  delightful  tete-a-tetes, 
in  which  we  used  to  discuss  every  subject  between  heaven  and  earth, 
trying  to  solve  the  most  difficult  problems  of  philosophy.  Until 
then,  fare  thee  well.  Aurevoir,  fair  cousin." 

With  these  words  he  bowed  himself  from  the  room,  but  no 

sooner  had  the  door  closed  behind  him  than  he  indemnified  himself 

• 


184  The  Treasure  of  Montezutna. 

for  this  restraint,  allowing  his  face  to  assume  an  aspect  so  truly  dia 
bolical  that  the  pair  in  the  room,  had  they  seen  him,  might  well 
have  trembled  at  the  sight.  As  it  was,  they  merely  looked  at  one 
another,  exchanging  glances  of  intelligence. 

"I  know  now  that  my  conjectures  were  correct,"  Inex  said; 
"  he  stole  the  letter  himself,  or,  what  is  more  likely,  had  it  stolen 
by  somebody  else." 

Before  Arthur  could  reply,  Herbert  stepped  into  the  room,  and 
after  a  brief  examination  of  the  patient,  sat  down. 

"  If  yon  continue  mending  at  this  rate,"  he  said,  "  I  shall  give 
you  leave  to  rise  and  go  down  stairs  a  little  while  to-morrow.  But 
what  are  we  to  do  with  this  reprobate  relative  of  ours  ?  I  must 
confess  that  his  case  both  annoys  and  puzxlos  me." 

"  I  wonder  where  he  is  ?  "  said  Inex. 

"  May  not  shame  and  fear  of  exposure  have  induced  him  to 
leave  the  valley  ?"  Arthur  suggested. 

"My  dear  boy,  shame  is  an  element  which  the  most  searching 
analysis  would  fail  to  discover  in  that  fellow's  composition.  More 
over,  he  could  not  leave  the  valley  without  my  knowledge,  even  if 
he  Avere  inclined  to  do  so,  which  I  am  afraid  he  is  not.  He  is  prob 
ably  hiding  for  awhile,  aided,  I  am  afraid,  by  Clara  and  her  rela 
tives,  who  have,  at  least,  been  indiscreet  enough  to  cater  to  his 
vicious  tastes. 

"  Shall  I  take  her  to  task,  papa  ?  " 

"Not  for  the  present,  child.  1  think  I  have  noticed  slight 
signs  of  reform  in  the  lad,  and,  if  I  could  succeed  in  making  a 
useful  member  of  society  of  him,  I  would  consider  myself  richly 
indemnified  for  all  the  trouble  and  disappointment  he  has  caused 
me.  If  I  wanted  to  find  him  I  need  only  put  a  couple  of  my  in- 
dians  upon  his  track,  who  would  soon  unearth  him  ;  but  the  hard 
ships  and  the  solitude  of  his  retreat  may  possibly  have  a  salutary 
cJl'ect  on  him ;  so  we  may  as  well  let  him  have  his  way  for  awhile, 
unless  we  discover  him  at  some  new  mischief.  As  to  his  brother, 
he  causes  me  fully  as  much  annoyance,  though  in  a  different  way. 
He  is  undoubtedly  a  very  dangerous  fellow." 

Inex  looked  triumphantly  at  Arthur,  as  if  she  meant  to  say : 
"Did  I  not  tell  you." 

"But,  Father,"  Arthur  ventured  to  say,  who  by  the  by,  had 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  185 

been  directed  to  use  this  tender  title  ;  "if  Philip  is  really  so  dan 
gerous,  why  should  you  hesitate  to  expel  him  fi-ora  the  valley  ? ' ' 

"  There  are  several  reasons  which  cause  me  to  hesitate,  Arthur. 
I  learn  from  your  journal  that  you  are  acquainted  with  the  tender 
ties  which  at  one  time  bound  me  to  the  mother  of  these  young 
men.  For  her  sake  I  would  like  to  deal  gently  with  them.  There 
is,  of  course,  a  limit  to  endurance,  and  if  1  catch  Philip  at  plots 
endangering  the  peace  and  safety  of  this  colony,  I  shall  no  longer 
spare  him.  Our  colony  must,  and  surely  will,  soon  be  beset  by 
perils  of  all  kinds,  and  it  would  show  a  distrust  in  the  stability  of 
my  own  institutions  if  I  timidly  banished  from  our  precincts  every 
person  suspected  of  harboring  hostile  designs  against  it.  You  see 
it  is  a  kind  of  a  test  I  am  making,  and,  unless  the  serpent  strikes  a 
vital  spot,  we  will  give  it  a  chance  to  play  its  forked  tongue." 

"  But  he  may  aim  at  your  own  safety,  papa  ;  yes  threaten  your 
life,"  Inez  said  anxiously. 

"  Nay,  child,  I  give  Philip  credit  for  too  much  sagacity  for  such 
foolish  attempts.  By  doing  so  he  would  only  imperil  his  own  life, 
without  any  chance  of  success  whatever.  Besides,  heroic  measures 
are  not  Philip's  forte.  If  he  can  work  out  his  plans  by  stealth  and 
'strategy,  look  out  for  him,  for  I  think  I  do  him  no  injustice  by  as 
serting  that  he  would  not  stop  short  of  any  extremes  to  carry  out 
his  purposes.  But  let  us  drop  this  unpleasant  subject  and  deliber 
ate  upon  the  best  manner  of  introducing  our  boy  to  our  community. 
Shall  he  appear  as  a  new  figure  or  step  into  the  shoes  of  his  un 
worthy  predecessor?  " 

"These  shoes  are  rather  filthy,  papa,"  Inez  suggested,  with  evi 
dent  disgust." 

"  That  is  true,  child,  but  consider  the  talk  and  gossip  the  publi 
cation  of  the  story  in  all  its  details  Would  create.  As  far  as  gossip 
ing  is  concerned,  our  colonists  are  but  mortals,  and  there  are  enough 
amongst  them  who  would  not  object  to  having  our  name  subjected 
to  a  thorough  washing  in  dirty  water." 

"  But,  papa,  it  is  hai'dly  fair  that  the  innocent  should  suffer  for 
the  guilty." 

This  shot  came  home,  for  Herbert  winced  a  little  under  it,  and 
was  on  the  point  of  surrendering  unconditionally  when  Arthur  said  : 

"  Please  give  me  the  outlines  of  the  case  in  question.     If  I  can 


18H  The  Treasure  of  Montezuind. 

do  anything  to  save  annoyance,  rest  assured  that  I  shall  consider  it 
rny  privilege  to  make  any  sacrifice  in  your  behalf." 

Herbert  looked  affectionately  at  the  young  man,  and  said  : 

"The  fact  is,  the  people  of  Friedensthal  need  not  know  of  the 
existence  of  two  Arthur  (i  rail's,  as  your  namesake  is  not  at  all 
calculated  to  increase  the  reputation  of  the  family.  Your  cousin's 
reputation  is  not  the  very  best,  in  spite  of  his  short  sojourn  among 
us,  and  I  fully  agree  with  Inez  that  we  have  not  the  right  of  mak 
ing  you  the  scape-goat  of  another's  iniquities.  80  I  shall  prepare 
a  short  notice  for  the  evening  papers  and  inform  our  public  of  all 
they  ought  to  know." 

He  was  on  the  point  of  rising  when  Arthur  interrupted  him, 
saying : 

"  One  moment  father.  Would  it  not,  after  all,  lie  best  to  hide 
this  unpleasant  matter  from  the  public,  unless  absolute  necessity 
compels  us  to  disclose  it  ?  For  my  part,  I  am  perfectly  willing  to 
assume  this  inheritance.  I  taink  it  will  not  take  me  long  to  change 
the  current  of  public  opinion,  even  if  to  accomplish  it  I  should 
have  to  aspire  to  angelic  goodness  for  a  while." 

A  thankful  look  from  Inez's  fair  eyes  rewarded  him  for  his 
readiness  for  sacrifice,  if  such  it  may  be  called. 

"  You  are  very  good  my  boy,  to  thus  smooth  our  way  at  your 
expense,  and  I  accept  your  suggestion,  on  condition  that  I  am  to 
be  permitted  to  set  the  public  right  in  case  the  result  prove  differ 
ent  from  what  you  expect.  And,  now,  my  boy,  get  well  as  fast  as 
you  can ;  there  is  lots  of  pleasure  in  store  for  you,  and  work  too, 
for  that  matter." 

"  I  am  ready  for  both,"  Arthur  replied  with  a  laugh. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


The  first  week  of  Arthur's  sojourn  in  Friedensthal  had  scarcely 
closed,  when  Herbert  removed  all  restrictions  from  his  diet  as  well 


The  Treasure  of  Moutezuma.  187 

as  his  movements  ;  enjoining  of  course,  only  proper  prudence  in 
their  exercise.  As  he  was  yet  too  weak  for  work,  pleasure,  un 
adulterated,  was  on  the  tapis.  If  ever  the  story  of  Eden  was  veri 
fied,  it  was  then  enacted  in  Friedensthal.  Arthur  floated  as  it 
were  in  a  sea  of  intoxication.  The  new,  delicious,  sensations  which 
had  captivated  his  heart,  gave  to  everything  he  did  a  double  charm. 
The  valley  was,  as  we  know,  full  of  beauties,  but  to  none  did  they 
appear  so  captivating  as  to  the  young  man,  when  at  Inez's  side,  he 
rolled  in  a  carriage  through  the  fields  just  then  clothed  in  the  new 
garments  of  spring.  At  other  times  Herbert  undertook  with  him 
excursions  to  various  parts  of  the  valley,  and  it  is  hard  to  say  which 
was  the  happier  of  the  two  on  such  occasions.  Philip  had  also 
manifested  a  lively  interest,  but  it  was  based  on  sordid  egotism,  and 
the  recognition  of  this  fact  destroyed  naturally  the  pleasure  of  the 
guide.  Here,  at  last,  was  the  proper  appreciation,  coupled  with  an 
enthusiasm  ready  to  enter  upon  the  slightest  suggestion.  A\rhen 
Herbert  spoke  of  the  trouble  which  the  presence  of  water  in  the 
various  mines  continually  gave  them,  Arthur  was  ready  with  a 
remedy  which  the  latest  discoveries  in  the  province  of  mining  had 
provided.  When  Herbert  pointed  to  the  fine  herds  of  cattle  and 
expressed  his  fears  of  the  want  of  a  market  in  case  of  too  rapid  an 
increase,  Arthur  suggested  the  erection  of  establishments  which 
would  reduce  the  surplus  meat  to  extract,  which  could  be  easily 
shipped  and  finds  a  ready  market  everywhere.  When  Herbert 
deplored  the  scarcity  of  rags  for  the  manufacture  of  paper,  Arthur 
pointed  to  a  plant  growing  in  great  profusion  along  the  hedges, 
offering  an  excellent  substitute  for  rags  for  the  manufacture  of  all 
kinds  and  grades  of  paper.  This  time  there  was  no  lack  of  knowl 
edge,  and  when  Herbert  asked  for  this  or  that  modern  way  of 
preparing  an  article,  the  information  was  given  with  a  readiness 
and,  withal,  a  modesty  captivat'ng  Herbert's  heart  and  making 
the  youth  dearer  to  him  every  moment.  At  first  the  excursions 
were  confined  to  the  immediate  vicinity,  and  the  city  received  the 
lion's  share. 

The  institutions  of  art  and  learning  were  visited,  one  after  an 
other.  There  was  at  Montezuma  a  university  of  respectable  size 
and  ability.  Only  the  mere  speculative  branches  of  science  were 
not  represented. 


188  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"  Philosophy  is  a  luxury  which  only  idlers  can  afford,"  Herbert 
said,  "and  we,  for  our  part,  have  no  idlers.  What  js  the  use  of 
idle  speculations,  based  on  premises  incapable  of  withstanding  the 
slightest  onset  of  reason?  The  study  of  philosophy  has  been 
actually  injurious  to  the  people  ;  turning  their  minds  from  real 
things  and  enabling  their  rulers  to  deprive  them  for  centuries  of  the 
substantial  gifts  and  rights  inherent  to  their  birth.  It  is  all  we 
can  do  to  prepare  ourselves  for  the  duties  of  this  life,  and  all 
speculations  tending  to  alienate  us  from  executing  these  duties  are 
injurious." 

The  University  building  is  situated  on  the  central  square.  It 
belongs  to  the  community;  its  professors  are  well  paid,  and  re 
ceive  a  pension  when  sickness  or  old  age  prevents  them  from  at 
tending  to  the  execution  of  their  functions. 

"  Is  this  practice  carried  out  in  all  public  departments  ?  "  Arthur 
inquired. 

"Certainly;  else,  how  could  we  expect  honest  and  efficient 
officials?  When  a  man  devotes  the  best  years  of  his  life  to  the 
service  of  the  community  is  it  not  only  simple  justice  that  the  com 
munity  in  turn  should  take  care  of  him  for  the  rest  of  his  days?  " 

"Then  you  do  not  follow  the  practice  of  the  United  States, 
which  generally  change  their  public  servants  with  their  administra 
tions  ?  " 

"  Indeed,  we  are  not  oblivious  to  our  best  interests;  but  I  must 
not  forget  to  tell  you  that  we  pursue  a  very  different  course  in  till 
ing  our  offices.  I  shall  take  you  soon  into  our  public  schools 
which,  I  flatter  myself,  compare  favorably  with  the  best  in  the 
world.  At  the  end  of  every  year  there  is  an  examination,  not  a 
sham  one,  understand,  at  which  teacher  and  pupils  play  a  question 
and  answer  game,  but  one  which  will  bring  out  the  scholarship  of 
the  student.  Those  that  pass  satisfactorily  are  promoted  to  a 
higher  grade,  thus  rising  from  step  to  step  until  they  reach  the  pin 
nacle.  From  the  common  schools  they  advance  to  the  high  school, 
from  the  high  school  to  the  university,  and  it  is  only  those  who 
have  gone  through  the  entire  course  that  are  entitled  to  rill  our 
offices." 

"But  does  such  a  course  not  exclude  the  poor,  who  are  not 


The  Treasure  of  Monteznma.  189 

capable  of  giving  their  children  the  advantages  of  a  finished  educa 
tion?" 

"When  you  know  us  and  our  institutions  better,  you  will  cease 
to  judge  us  capable  of  such  injustice.  The  entire  course  of  educa 
tion  is  not  only  free  for  everybody,  but  compulsory  to  all." 

"But,  Uncle,  not  all  are  cut  out  for  scholars." 

"Certainly  not ;  but  all  ave  capable  of  reaching  a  certain  pro 
ficiency,  and  this  proficiency  we  compel!  everyone  to  acquire.  A 
pupil  must  try  his  very  best  before  he  is  allowed  to  give  up.  In 
this  way  we  do  not  merely  lift  our  next  generation  gradually 
to  a  higher  level,  but  prevent  that  dangerous  dissatisfaction  of  able 
but  poor  persons  who  are  condemned  to  the  drudgeries  of  life  while 
really  capable  of  preforming  the  highest  functions.  Our  hewers  of 
wood,  our  diggers  are  contented  with  their  fate,  for  they  have  had 
the  same  chance  with  the  rest  and  convinced  themselves  that  they 
are  unfit  for  anything  higher.  Add  to  that  the  fact  that  they  are 
well  paid  for  their  labor,  and  you  will  not  wonder  that  you  do  not 
find  amongst  us  those  dissatisfied  grumblers  Avith  which  the  world, 
elsewhere,  swarms." 

"  Oh,  what  a  generous  way  of  educating  a  nation  !  " 

"Nay,  my  son,  not  generous,  but  merely  just  and  prudent. 
We  go  a  step  further,  and  educate  the  body  as  well.  Here  every 
body  is  fortunately  able  to  supply  his  family  with  an  abundance  of 
nutritious  food,  and  we  have  thus  far  not  found  it  necessary  to  feed 
the  children  at  the  public  expense ;  but  there  is  a  provision  for 
that  nevertheless,  and  justly  so.  The  community  facilitates  mar 
riages  to  secure  its  own  continuance,  and  is  therefore  not  only  en 
titled  to  provide  for  the  sustenance  of  the  offsprings,  but  even 
justified  in  superintending  their  physical  education.  We  compell 
our  children  to  submit  to  a  thorough  training  in  gymnastics,  and 
even  restrict  their  diet  in  the  manner  yours  was  restricted." 

"  For  which  I  shall  be  grateful  to  my  dying  day.  And  you  en 
counter  no  opposition  ?  " 

"  Philip  asked  me  the  same  question.  We  find  not  only  no  op 
position  but  the  majority  of  our  families  have  entirely  abandoned 
the  use  of  articles  of  food  which  they  have  learned  to  be  injurious. 
But  I  am  tiring  you  with  my  dry  expositions." 

"  How  can  you  think  so?     I  long  impatiently  for  the  moment 


190  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

when  you  will  permit  me  to  see  more  deeply  into  all  these  things, 
and  actively  participate  in  your  glorious  work." 

"  I  trust  you  will  be  able  to  begin  before  long  ;  for  the  present 
you  must  think  of  nothing  but  getting  strong." 

From  the  university  building  they  went  to  the  Polytecnical 
School.  Here  Artur  found  nothing  especially  novel,  thanks  to  his 
mode  of  education.  We  know  that  Anton  Stamm  had  combined 
practice  with  theory,  by  causing  Arthur  to  build  or  at  least  work 
the  machinery  whose  theory  he  had  been  taught.  The  same  plan 
of  education  was  here  carried  out  on  a  grand  scale.  A  large 
machine  shop  was  connected  with  the  school,  and  no  day  was  al 
lowed  to  pass  by  without  the  execution  of  some  practical  work  on 
the  part  of  the  students. 

From  the  Polytecnicum  they  proceeded  to  the  school  of  Fine 
Arts,  where  a  considerable  number  of  students  of  both  sexes  were 
drawing,  modeling,  painting  and  sculpturing. 

"  And  this  tuition  is  also  gratis  ?  "  Arthur  asked  admiringly. 

"  Yes,  but  only  conditionally.  To  be  admitted  to  these  rooms, 
the  student  must  have  passed  the  lower  schools,  or  bring  at  least  a 
certificate  of  proficiency  from  one  of  the  professors  of  the  Institute. 
This  provision  was  necessary  to  save  the  teachers  from  the  throng 
that  would  crowd  in  and  waste  not  only  good  paint  and  canvas,  but 
what  would  be  worse,  the  time  of  the  instructors.  As  it  is,  no  one 
is  admitted  who  does  not  bring  the  proficiency  necessary  to  insure 
progress.  I  have  no  doubt  that  you  have  seen  enough  of  the 
daubs  of  amateur  artists,  to  know  what  a  bore  they  are  to  the 
teacher  who  is  unfortunate  enough  to  be  obliged  to  attend  to  their 
correction." 

Arthur  confessed,  with  a  laugh,  that  he  had  seen  teachers  be 
come  half  frantic  under  such  tortures. 

The  afternoon  was  too  far  spent  to  visit  the  public  schools,  as 
Herbert  had  planned.  So  they  returned  to  the  Villa,  where  Inez 
received  them  with  a  smile  which,  in  Arthur's  opinion,  fully  com 
pensated  him  for  the  disappearance  of  the  rays  of  the  setting  sun. 
After  supper  Herbert  said  : 

"To-night  they  will  give  AVagner's  "  Lohengrin"  at  the  Opera 
House.  I  think  we  ought  to  go  and  see  whether  Arthur  will  be  as 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  191 

ranch  suprised  as  Philip  was  on  his  first  visit  to  that  place  of  rec 
reation." 

"  I  would  wager  a  large  sum  on  that,  if  I  had  it,"  said  Philip, 
who  could  not  complain  of  any  neglect  on  the  part  of  the  circle, 
though  he  was  not  in  harmony  with  their  views  and  feelings; 
UI  tell  you  Arthur,"  he  said  ;  "I  was  completely  dazzled  at  the 
sight  of  so  much  splendor  and  excellence  displayed  though  I  have 
witnessed  the  performances  of  the  leading  stages  of  Europe.  You 
Avill  find  it  a  repetition  of  a  scene  from  The  Arabian  Nights." 

"  You  must  not  cause  him  to  expect  too  much,  Philip  ;  but  if 
Ave  are  to  go,  we  may  as  well  get  ready,  for  the  performance  begins 
at  eight.  It  is  seven  now,  and  we  Montezumians  are  not  fashiona 
ble  enough  to  disturb  the  audience  after  the  beginning  of  the 
play." 

The  others  took  the  hint,  and  fifteen  minutes  afterwards  the 
company  boarded  one  of  the  street  cars,  which  took  them  to  the 
central  part  of  the  city  where  the  opera  house  was  situated.  The 
fine  building  was  brilliantly  illuminated,  and  a  gay  throng  crowded 
into  the  wide  passage  leading  to  the  interior.  AVe  have  said  on  a 
former  occasion  that  Herbert  could  not  show  himself  in  public  with 
out  receiving  on  all  sides  an  ovation  of  respect  and  affection.  Now, 
as  usual,  greetings  were  showered  upon  him  by  old  and  young. 
One  might  have  taken  him  for  a  prince,  receiving  homage  of  the 
people  ;  only,  in  this  instance,  the  respect  was  free  from  servility, 
and  the  affection  free  from  awe.  They  bought  tickets  for  the  par 
terre,  and  the  brilliant  scene  which  burst  upon  Arthur  on  entering 
the  auditory  was  so  dazzling  that  he  would  hardly  trust  his  senses. 
There  was  nothing  gaudy  or  overladen  in  this  splendor,  and  every 
thing  showed  a  solidity  of  refinement  and  elegance,  speaking  well 
for  the  taste  of  the  designers.  The  galleries  were  so  arranged  as  to 
allow  a  clear  view  from  all  parts  of  the  house.  The  audience  was 
large,  and  compared  favorably  with  any  Arthur  had  ever  seen. 
Herbert  aimed,  as  we  know,  at  a  reform  in  dressing,  and  although 
it  would  probably  have  been  beyond  human  power  to  repress  alto 
gether  the  desire  of  these  fair  damsels  to  outshine  one  another, 
there  was,  on  the  whole,  no  foolish  display  of  dress  and  jewelry. 
Inez  set  her  sisters  a  good  example  in  this  respect,  but  if  you  had 
asked  the  opinion  of  Arthur  he  would  unhesitatingly  have  taken 


1«>2  The  Treasure  of  Montezwna. 

a  solemn  oath  that  she  looked  more  charming  in  her  simple  white 
lawn  dress  than  the  most  gorgeous  princess,  decked  with  precious 
stones. 

Shortly  after  the  arrival  of  our  friends  the  orchestra  began 
tuning  their  instruments,  and  then  commenced  to  play  the  overture 
of  an  opera  which,  like  all  the  compositions  of  Richard  Wagner, 
lias  been  lauded  to  the  skies  by  his  admirers  and  utterly  condemned 
by  his  adversaries.  It  is  not  our  province  to  criticise  his  music  at 
this  place,  for  we  merely  accompanied  the  party  to  see  how  Arthur 
was  impressed  by  the  musical  propensities  of  the  people  of  Monte- 
zuma.  But  if  we  abstain  from  criticising  the  composer,  we  do  not 
hesitate  to  take  that  liberty  in  regard  to  the  performance,  and  must 
confess  that  it  reflected  the  highest  credit  upon  the  actors  as  well  as 
the  musicians.  We  know  Arthur  to  be  somewhat  of  a  musician 
himself,  and  the  enthusiasm  with  which  he  afterwards  spoke  of  the 
merits  of  both  singers  and  players,  induced  us  to  believe  them  to 
be  of  no  low  order.  Indeed,  the  impression  which  he  took  home 
from  that  night's  entertainment  was  so  favorable  and  vivid  that  he 
was  always  ready  to  second  the  proposal  of  a  visit  to  the  theater. 
On  the  occasion  of  their  next  visit  there  was  a  comedy  on  the  pro 
gramme,  written  by  a  Friedensthal  genius,  as  Inez  told  Arthur,  half 
jestingly,  half  proudly,  the  sequel  showing,  however,  that  the  lat 
ter  sentiment  was  a  perfectly  legitimate  one.  The  wit  of  the  play  was 
of  the  highest  order,  and  the  frequent  bursts  of  laughter  and  en 
thusiastic  applause  with  which  it  was  received,  spoke  well  for  the 
intelligence  of  the  Montezumians.  On  a  third  occasion  our  friends 
•witnessed  the  performance  of  a  classic  drama.  The  house  was 
packed,  a  circumstance  not  always  noticed  in  the  theaters  of  the 
cities  of  the  East,  where  wretched  conglomerations,  which  have  no 
merits,  but  far-fetched  and  sickening  sensation,  form  the  attraction 
of  the  masses.  The  acting  was  as  classic  as  the  piece.  Arthur  was 
so  well  pleased  with  this  temple  of  the  Muses  that  he  asked  Her 
bert  numerous  questions  concerning  it.  He  learned  that  it,  too,  was 
an  instition  of  the  State,  and  under  the  surveillance  of  an  officer  ap 
pointed  and  paid  for  that  purpose.  Nothing  vulgar  or  immoral  was 
allowed  on  the  stage. 

"  We  consider  the  stage  an  institution  of  learning  as  Avell  as  en 
tertainment,  and  treat  it  accordingly.  It  must  elevate,  not  lower 


The  Treasure  of  Montezwna.  193 

the  people,  and  when  a  new  piece  is  offered  us,  we  take  this  maxim 
into  consideration.  You  will  witness  more  than  one  piece  written 
by  Montezumians,  and  if  they  are  not  the  most  superior,  I  can  safe 
ly  say  that  they  are  far  from  being  the  most  inferior  productions  of 
the  pen." 

"  And  you  pension  old  actors  ?  " 

"  Of  course,  my  boy,  they  devote  their  strength  and  talents  to 
the  public,  and  are  therefore  entitled  to  public  assistance  when  in 
firmity  renders  them  unfit  for  their  work.  I  am  sure  that  the  very 
assurance  of  this  assistance  prolongs  considerably  the  period  of  their 
usefulness." 

When  the  inhabitants  of  the  Villa  did  not  visit  the  theater  or 
other  places  of  entertainment,  they  generally  arranged  little  con 
certs  at  home.  Arthur's  skill  on  the  violin  and  the  piano  became  a 
source  of  endless  pleasure.  Never  before  had  Inez  enjoyed  her  own 
musical  skill  to  such  an  extent.  Not  only  did  the  duets  with  Arthur 
deepen  her  appi-eciation  of  the  music  they  performed,  but  his 
knowledge  of  harmony  gave  her  a  deeper  insight  into  music  and 
opened  beauties  before  unknown  to  her. 

The  chief  source  of  delight  for  these  young  people,  however,  lay 
in  the  enjoyment  of  each  other's  company.  Their  tastes  were  so 
much  alike  ;  their  aspirations  so  similar  ;  their  thoughts,  purposes 
and  wishes  so  nearly  identical  that  a  daily  increasing  affection  and 
assimilation  was  not  only  natural,  but  really  unavoidable.  And  yet 
the  consciousness  of  their  passion  had  not  reached  them,  and  they 
enjoyed  each  other's  society  with  the  harmlessness  and  vivacity  of 
children.  Herbert,  however,  had  more  experience,  and  the  fact 
that  he  did  not  only  not  stop  their  increasing  familiarity,  but  be- 
nignantly  smiled  his  approval,  is  sufficient  evidence  that  this  dawn 
ing  mutual  affection  had  his  full  sanction,  and,  perhaps,  anticipated 
his  fondest  wishes.  When  Arthur  had  recovered  his  full  strength, 
the  two  exchanged  roles,  and  Arthur  became  the  protector,  while 
Inez,  of  course,  continued  to  act  as  a  guide.  Oh,  these  delightful 
rambles  through  field  and  forest.  Sometimes  they  proceeded  on  foot, 
and  on  such  occasions  gathered  beautiful  flowers  or  rare  herbs,  with 
who  sequalities  Arthur  was  generally  familiar,  since  botany  had  al 
ways  been  one  of  his  favorite  studies.  Many  of  these  plants  he  now 
met  for  the  first  time  in  their  natural  state,  and  the  discovery  of 


194  Tlie  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

one  whose  medicinal  or  other  properties  promised  its  future  useful 
ness  was  always  heralded  with  great  jubilation,  and  shown  to  Her 
bert,  who  seemed  to  have  become  ten  years  younger  since  Arthur's 
arrival,  and  entered  upon  the  sports  of  his  favorites  with  an  enthu- 
siam  quite  remarkable  for  one  of  his  years. 

It  did  not  take  Arthur  long  to  gain  the  good  graces  of  the  peo 
ple  of  Monte/iuna,  and,  indeed,  whole  Friedensthal.  It  was  a  lucky 
circumstance  that  the  first  Arthur's  phlegmatic  nature  had  reduced 
his  excursions  to  a  minimum,  limiting,  as  it  were,  the  chances  of 
the  people  to  become  intimately  acquainted  with  him.  Even  the 
knowledge  of  the  nearest  neighbors  was  of  a  merely  negative  char 
acter,  and  when  the  true  heir  now  appeared  among  them,  display 
ing  all  the  amiable  traits  of  his  noble  nature,  everybody  wondered 
at  his  previous  blindness,  and  congratulated  Herbert  on  so  desirable 
an  acquisition  to  his  family.  When  the  excursions  of  the  young 
people  were  extended  to  the  mountains  bounding  the  valley  on 
both,  sides,  they  proceeded  on  horseback.  Civility  induced  them  to 
always  offer  an  invitation  to  Philip,  but  it  was  rarely  accepted,  for 
such  excursions  always  proved  to  be  a  source  of  great  annoyance, 
not  to  say  torture  to  him.  He  could  not  help  seeing  the  growing 
affection  of  his  cousins,  and,  thoughhis  own  heart  was  not  greatly 
affected  by  this  discovery,  it  threatened  to  interfere  seriously  with 
his  plans,  and  therefore  filled  him  with  rage.  Moreover,  nothing 
was  so  well  calculated  to  show  to  advantage  the  splendid  physical 
training  of  Arthur  as  these  very  rides,  and  it  was  gall  and  worm 
wood  to  him  to  see  the  undisguised  admiration  with  which  Ine/ 
gaxed  upon  the  young  man's  horsemanship  and  the  many  acts  of 
skill  and  daring  he  had  the  opportunity  to  perform.  More  than 
once  this  skill  and  prowess  saved  Inez  from  serious  harm,  and  the 
gratitude  which  she  felt  could  not  help  giving  her  feelings  for  him 
a  deeper  color. 

The  torture  which  Philip  suffered  under  these  circumstances  be 
came  well-nigh  unendurable,  and  made  him  exceedingly  impatient 
at  the  tardiness  with  which  his  brother  perfected  the  preparation  for 
his  departure.  The  truth  is,  this  shallow  young  man  was  greatly 
flattered  by  the  violent  passion  with  which  he  had  inspired  Clara, 
and  as  her  training  and  fiery  disposition  induced  her  to  gratify  his 
low  animal  appetite,  he  felt  quite  contented  with  his  solitude,  enliv- 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  195 

ened  as  it  was  by  numerous  visits  whicli  the  imprudent  gir  managed 
to  pay  him.  Thus  it  was  that  he  paid  little  or  no  attention  to  his 
brother's  urgent  summons  to  depart.  Philip  was  afraid  to  pay  him 
a  personal  visit,  knowing  full  well  that  he  would  not  be  able  to  take 
such  a  step  without  the  knowledge  of  Huatle,  whose  watchful  eyes 
he  saw  in  his  dreams  fixed  upon  him.  Oh,  how  he  hated  this  In 
dian.  How  he  hated  the  whole  family  of  the  Villa.  Indeed,  noth 
ing  but  the  prospect  of  immense  wealth,  and  recently  the  thirst  for 
vengeance,  could  have  induced  him  to  remain  another  day  in 
Montezuma.  He  knew  that  he  need  only  give  his  brother  an  inti 
mation  of  the  nature  of  the  feeling  springing  up  in  the  hearts  of 
Arthur  and  Inez  to  stir  him  from  his  sloth  ;  but  he  also  knew  that 
such  a  communication  would  produce  an  outburst  of  passion  so  vio 
lent  as  to  take  the  management  of  affairs  entirely  from  his  hands, 
thus  threatening  to  frustrate,  with  one  blow,  plans  so  carefully  laid 
and  so  full  of  promise.  He  resolved  to  resort  to  such  a  disclosure 
only  as  a  last  expedient,  not  dreaming  that  the  mad  jealousy  of  a 
girl  would  start  the  ball  whose  rolling  he  had  good  reason  to  believe 
destructive. 

About  a  week  after  the  visit  to  the  theater,  Herbert  told 
Arthur  that  he  \vould  make  his  customary  monthly  visit  to  the 
schools,  and  asked  him  whether  he  felt  strong  enough  to  accompany 
him. 

"  Mind,"  he  said  with  a  smile,  "  these  young  folks  are  very  ac 
tive,  and  may  lead  you  quite  a  dance  before  you  are  through. 
They  may  want  you  to  give  them  a  proof  of  your  skill  as  a  gym 
nast,  but  I  warn  you  to  abstain  from  any  violent  exercise  calculated 
to  re-open  your  wounds." 

Arthur  promised  to  observe  the  proper  discretion,  and  the  two 
started.  On  entering  the  first  school-room,  Arthur  could  not  help 
noticing  the  healthy  appearance  and  general  beauty  of  the  children, 
and  expressed  his  satisfaction  to  his  companion. 

"  Yes,  our  little  ones  are  very  pretty,  but  the  apparent  mystery 
can  be  expressed  in  three  little  words.  They  are:  "'Absence  of 
want.' ' 

"Nothing  mars  human  comliness  so  much  as  scanty  or  unwhole 
some  food.  The  improvement  is  not  so  marked  at  once,  but  every 
generation  tells,  and  if  our  prosperity  continues,  we  will  by  and  by 


196  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

have  perfect  little  cherubs.  As  to  their  healthfulness,  we  owe  their 
comliness  to  the  judicious  treatment  which  tliey  received  at  home 
and  in  school.  We  never  keep  them  longer  than  four  hours  on  their 
seats,  the  fifth  and  sixth  hours  being  spent  in  physical  exercises. 
Come,  we  are  just  in  time  to  witness  some  of  their  gymnastics." 

Leaving  the  building,  they  stepped  upon  a  large  lawn,  which 
was  provided  Avith  all  kindsof  apparatus,  with  plenty  of  loom, 
however,  for  playing  and  running.  No  sooner  had  the  children 
caught  sight  of  their  friend,  than  they  raised  a  lusty  universal 
shout,  and  rushed  to  him  with  an  eagerness  touching  to  behold. 
After  the  first  storm  of  delight  had  abated  a  little,  Herbert  said  to 
the  children  : 

"My  clear  friends,  this  gentleman  is  my  nephew,  Arthur  Grau, 
who  has  come  to  make  your  acquaintance,  and  to  see  whether  you 
are  really  as  clever  and  good  as  I  have  represented  you  to  be.  Do 
your  very  best  now,  and  reflect  credit  upon  yourselves  and  your 
teachers." 

This  was  the  signal  for  the  commencement  of  the  exercises, 
which  were  marked  by  great  efficiency,  but  whose  principal  charm 
consisted  in  the  earnestness  with  which  all  entered  upon  the  work. 
Nor  were  the  girls  behind  the  boys.  Their  bloomer  suits  enabled 
them  to  move  with  great  freedom,  and  in  running,  jumping  and 
climbing  they  often  outstripped  the  boys.  The  most  charming  part 
of  the  performance,  in  Arthur's  opinion,  was  a  kind  of  a  dance 
which  they  all  entered  and  which  consisted  in  graceful  movements 
around  each  other,  describing  a  circle,  and  finally  returning  to  the 
place  whence  they  had  started. 

"Gracefulness  is  a  great  charm,"  said  Herbert  in  explanation, 
"  and  we  consider  it  our  duty  to  develop  all  the  grace  with  which 
nature  has  endowed  the  child." 

"  Returning  to  the  school,  Arthur  noticed  that  the  language  of 
of  one  room  was  Spanish,  that  of  a  second  English  and  that  of  the 
third  German. 

"  Do  you  teach  these  three  languages  ?  ''  he  inquired. 

"As  you  see,"  was  the  reply. 

"  But  does  not  this  combination  confuse  the  children  ?" 

"  No,  Arthur  ;  I  think  not.  It  retards  the  acquisition  of  the 
three  languages,  but,  at  the  same  time,  affords  a  mental  discipline 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  197 

which  cannot  be  excelled.  Speak  to  the  children  in  either  of  these 
languages,  or  in  all  of  them,  and  you  will  find  them  familiar  with 
them  and  able  to  use  them  fluently." 

Arthur  saw  that  it  was  Herbert's  wish  for  him  to  make  the  ex 
periment,  and  he  therefore  obeyed.  He  told  the  children,  who  in 
this  room  averaged  the  age  of  fourteen,  a  story ;  first  in  German, 
then  in  English,  and  finally  in  Spanish.  Then  he  asked  them 
questions,  skipping  rapidly  from  one  language  to  another.  In  vain  ; 
all  his  questions  were  answered  readily  and  in  expressions  showing 
the  pupils'  perfect  familiarity  with  the  idioms.  Arthur  expressed 
his  delight  as  well  as  surprise. 

"  There  is  nothing  strange  about  it,"  Herbert  said,  with  a  smile. 
"  You  see  we  merely  carry  out  the  principle  of  combining  practice 
and  theory  into  execution.  Every  teacher  wishing  employment  in 
our  schools  must  be  master  of  these  three  languages,  and  use  a  dif 
ferent  one  every  day  in  regular  rotation.  The  circumstance  that 
our  children  hear  these  languages  daily  at  home  and  in  the  streets, 
of  course,  facilitates  our  ta?k,  but  we  would,  no  doubt,  be  success 
ful  without  it." 

"  Do  you  consider  such  an  accomplishment  of  great  value?" 

''Certainly,  Arthur.  The  material,  advantage  in  traffic  and 
commerce  is  sufficiently  great  to  pay  for  the  trouble  and  expense  ; 
but  the  chief  gain  is  a  mental  and  moral  one.  By  learning  three 
languages,  our  children  become  cosmopolitan,  a  title  higher  in  my 
estimation  than  that  of  German,  Englishman  or  American.  They 
do  not  feel  and  consider  themselves  specially  bound  to  one  nation, 
and  are  therefore  able  to  rise  more  readily  above  any  special  na 
tional  foible  or  weakness  as  long  as  the  sentiment  prevails  which 
inculcates  the  sentiment.  My  native  country  first,  whether  right 
or  wrong,  to  true  cosmopolitans,  in  other  words  genuine  philanthro 
pists,  will  be  a  myth  or  fraud." 

Again  Arthur  was  impressed  with  the  lofty  standpoint  which 
this  remarkable  man  occupied.  His  efforts  were  not  made  in  the 
interest  of  one  tribe,  or  one  race,  or  one  continent ;  no,  his  aspira 
tions  embraced  the  entire  globe,  and  were  for  that  very  reason  con 
sidered  visionary  by  so  many,  a  circumstance  at  which  we  surely 
need  not  wonder.  Can  a  little  insect  embrace  in  its  view  the  mighty 
mountain  on  which  it  crawls? 


198  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

After  visiting  the  schools,  Herbert  took  Arthur  to  the  floating 
bath  house  on  the  lake,  where  every  child  of  the  city  has  to  learu 
swimming  and  pay  daily  visits  between  the  age  of  eight  and  six 
teen.  Girls  are  not  excepted,  their  bathing  suits  differing  from 
those  of  the  boys  merely  by  an  additional  cap  which  protects  their 
hair.  Arthur  inquired  whether  the  teachers  did  not  find  it  diffi 
cult  to  compel  a  regular  attendance. 

"  No,  indeed,"  Herbert  replied  with  a  laugh  :  "  they  are  all  so 
anxious  to  come  that  the  deprival  of  a  day's  attendance  is  one  of 
the  most  effectual  punishments  in  the  hands  of  the  teachers." 

"  And  do  the  children  bathe  at  all  seasons?  " 

"Yes,  with  the  exception  of  December  and  .January,  which 
embrace  the  vacation  of  the  swimming  teachers,  whose  duties  are 
quite  arduous.  But  here  they  come — now  look  out  for  some  fun." 

Just  then  Arthur  saw  long  strings  of  children  approaching,  all 
walking  slowly,  as  they  had  been  warned  not  to  overheat  them 
selves  and  knew,  moreover,  that  they  would  not  be  allowed  to  in 
dulge  in  their  favorite  pastime  if  they  presented  a  Hushed  appear 
ance.  There  was  a  separate  house  for  each  sex,  and  the  buildings 
were  very  large,  to  accommodate  all  the  children,  who  numbered 
fully  four  thousand.  The  smaller  ones  were  under  the  strict  super 
vision  of  the  teachers  and  not  permitted  to  go  beyond  certain 
limits  ;  but  the  older  and  more  expert  swimmers  had  the  freedom 
of  the  lake,  the  girls  venturing  as  far  as  the  boys,  whom,  indeed, 
they  equaled  in  strength  and  skill.  On  the  ringing  of  a  bell  all 
had  to  retire  from  the  water,  which  they  did  with  a  good  enough 
grace,  verifying  the  axiom  that  the  freest  are  always  the  readiest 
observers  of  the  law.  Arthur  repeatedly  expressed  his  admiration 
for  this  bathing  institute,  and  vowed  that  he  would  make  it  a  point 
to  assist  in  superintending  and  furthering  so  salutary  an  establish 
ment. 

On  the  way  home  Herbert  pointed  out  to  him  the  large  and 
comfortable  places  serving  as  kindergartens. 

"To  me  it  is  a  source  of  the  keenest  pleasure/' he  said,  "to 
witness  the  enjoyment  of  the  happy  little  ones  gathered  there  :  for 
sport  and  nothing  but  sport  it  must  appear  to  them,  else  the  kinder 
garten  becomes  a  curse  instead  of  a  blessing.  I  often  spend  a  whole 
morning  there,  and  I  wager  there  is  not  a  shaver  in  the  city  over 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuina.  199 

four  years  who  does  not  know  me.  Do  you  see  the  wing  added  to 
this  school?  Well  it  contains  the  workshop  which  is,  indeed,  a 
feature  of  every  public  school  in  the  city.  There  the  boys  are 
taught  the  use  of  all  kinds  of  tools  and  the  use  of  both  hands  in 
discriminately.  It  is,  in  my  opinion,  a  great  mistake  to  skill  one 
hand  at  the  expense  and  total  neglect  of  the  other,  when  it  is  so 
easy  to  make  them  both  equally  expert  by  a  little  attention  in  sea 
son.  But  here  is  the  Villa.  If  your  appetite  is  as  keen  as  mine, 
there  will  be  a  famine  in  the  vallev  sure." 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

A    f'OXSTITUTION. 

Pleasure  is  good  enough  if  there  is  not  too  much  of  it.  Hardly 
had  Arthur  been  four  weeks  at  Montezuma,  and  felt  his  old  strength 
returning,  when  he  told  Herbert  that  his  loafing  days  were  over 
and  that  he  must  have  something  to  do  to  foel  that  he  was  earning 
his  board.  This  was  said  playfully,  of  course,  but  there  was  an 
undercurrent  of  earnestness  about  it  which  showed  that  Arthur  was 
in  earnest,  and  really  anxious  to  do  what  work  he  could  to  lighten 
the  burden  of  a  man  who  had  done  so  much  for  him,  and  evidently 
stood  in  sore  need  of  assistance.  Herbert,  however,  thought  best 
to  prolong  his  rest  a  little,  and  therefore  said : 

"  How  would  it  be  if  I  gave  you  a  little  insight  into  the  work 
ing  of  our  machinery  before  putting  you  at  the  helm  ?  I  am  sure 
Philip  and  Ine/  would  be  patient,  if  not  appreciative  listeners  and 
pardon  us  for  robbing  them  of  a  few  hours,  even  if  taxed  to  the 
limit  of  endurance." 

"  Papa  is  only  joking,"  said  Ine/,  smiling  ;  "  he  knows  too 
well  how  deep  an  interest  I  take  in  such  matters  not  to  be  delighted 
at  an  opportunity  to  hear  them  discussed." 

"  And  as  for  me,"  Philip  remarked,  with  the  politeness  of  the 
man  of  the  world  ;  "  my  tastes  are  not  to  be  considered.  In  this 
instance,  however,  I  am  with  the  majority  ;  for  although  I  may 


200  The  Treasure  of  Montezumu. 

differ  with  uncle  Herbert  in  his  social  and  political  views,  and  may 
even  take  the  liberty  of  arguing  with  him  when  the  opportunity 
offers,  I  am  too  much  delighted  at  the  ingenuity  of  his  ideas  to  lose 
a  chance  of  listening  to  them." 

"Very  politely  framed,"  Herbert  said  with  a  bow.  "Well, 
Arthur,  it  seems,  the  coast  is  clear  and  I  may  as  well  benefit  by 
this  favorable  opportunity  to  place  my  guns  into  position  and  fire 
away.  To  begin  then,  in  my  opinion,  the  entire  system  of  taxation 
hitherto  practiced  is  fundamentally  wrong,  as  all  governments, 
without  exception,  tax  the  industry  of  their  people,  thereby  put 
ting  a  premium  upon  idleness,  alias,  speculation,  alias,  robbery." 

"  Here  I  might  interpose  an  objection,"  said  Philip  ;  "  but  pre 
fer  to  wait  for  a  further  development  of  this  strange  hypothesis." 

"  It  is  coming,"  Herbert  said,  with  a  smile.  "  You  and  I  buy 
each  a  city  lot  which  join  and  possess  equal  value.  You  let  your 
lot  lie  for  mere  speculation  while  I  go  to  work,  fence  and  cultivate 
it,  erect  buildings,  in  short,  develop  all  its  natural  resources  and 
advantages.  Your  other  neighbors  follow  my  example  and,  by  our 
united  efforts,  we  turn  a  mere  cow-pasture  into  a  thriving  place. 
You  alone  continue  to  hold  your  lot  for  speculation,  and  the  unjust 
government  continues  to  tax  your  lot  for  cow-pasture  while  we  had 
no  sooner  put  up  our  fences  than  we  were  taxed  for  our  improve 
ments.  Our  taxes  continue  to  increase  with  our  improvements, 
which  added  to  the  value  of  your  lot  without  any  effort  whatever 
on  your  part.  If  that  is  not  the  quintessence  of  injustice  I  don't 
know  what  is." 

'•  I  admit  that  sounds  plausible  ;  but  if  you  are  right  all  specu 
lation  is  wrong." 

"  And  so  it  is,  undoubtedly.  It  is  only  a  pretty  name  for  legal 
ized  robbery." 

"''  That  is  a  strong  term." 

"  But  a  just  one." 

"Ought  not  prudence  and  forethought  be  rewarded?" 

"Not  at  the  expense  of  justice.  It  is  the  province  of  society 
to  protect  the  feeble  against  the  usurpations  of  what  we  are  pleased 
to  call  the  shrewd,  but  which,  in  reality,  we  ought  to  call  the  grasp- 
g  a  n  d  aggressive." 

>   i :      where  is  the  remedy?" 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma,  201 

"  In  the  declaration  and  adoption  of  the  principle  that  land  is 
common  and  not  individual  property,  and  ought  alone  to  bear  the 
brunt  of  taxation.  Taxing  personal  property  is  taxing  industry, 
and  putting  a  premium  upon  speculation  which,  in  my  opinion, 
ought  to  be  branded  as  an  infamous  imposition  by  a  few  upon  the 
m assess." 

"  But  that  would  be  an  injustice  to  large  land  owners." 

"  There  ought  to  be  no  land-owners  at  all.  Let  each  have  as 
much  of  the  common  property  as  he  needs,  but  let  him  pay  a  good 
round  sum  for  the  use  of  it ;  then  there  would  be  room  for  all  of 
us  on  this  globe  and  there  could  not  be  such  anomalies  as,  for  in 
stance,  in  England,  where  the  entire  land  is  owned  by  the  ridicu 
lously  small  minority  of  a  few  thousands." 

"  And  this  theory  is  carried  out  in  Friedensthal?  " 

"  It  will  be  in  a  short  time.  As  yet,  I  own  all  the  land  of  the 
valley,  but  in  a  few  months  we  shall  celebrate  the  twenty-fifth  an 
niversary  of  the  foundation  of  this  colony,  and  on  that  day  I  shall 
deed  the  land  for  ever  in  fee  simple  to  the  commonwealth  ;  i.  e., 
the  people." 

How  different  were  the  feelings  of  the  three  persons  listening 
to  these  words.  Inez,  the  most  directly  concerned  in  the  transac 
tion,  listened  with  an  indifference  concerning  the  great  sacrifice  in 
volved  truly  grand,  although  it  must  be  taken  into  consideration 
that  habit  prevented  her  from  feeling  the  sacrifice.  In  Arthur's 
breast  there  was  nothing  but  unmixed  admiration  for  the  magnanim 
ity  capable  of  conceiving  and  carrying  out  such  an  unselfish  pro 
ject.  In  Philip,  finally  there  was  a  mixture  of  contempt  and  pity 
at  what  he  considered  puerile,  or  rather  seuile.  sentimentality. 
Never  before  had  this  grand  possession  appeared  so  desirable  to  him, 
and  never  before  had  his  determination  of  preventing  such  folly  at 
all  ha/ards  been  so  strong.  But  he  had  no  time  to  follow  his 
thoughts,  for  Herbert  resumed  : 

"There  are  twelve  thousand  farms  of  fifty  acres  each  in  the 
valley,  paying  an  average  of  one  dollar  per  acre,  yielding  an 
annual  revenue  of  8600,000. 

"  Montezuma  pays  $400,000  on  her  forty  thousand  lots,  the 
other  towns  and  villages  the  same  sum,  making  $1,400,000  from 
the  land.  The  railroad  yields  a  net  revenue  of  §100,000,  and 


202  The  Treuxiire  of  Montezuma. 

from  the  mines  \ve  reali/e  •$500,000  more,  making  a  grand  total  of 
82,000,000,  which  sum  covers  not  only  all  ordinary  expenditures, 
but  even  leaves  us  a  small  surplus." 

"  I  should  have  thought  the  railroad  would  yield  a  larger  reve 
nue  ;  there  is  a  great  deal  of  tratic,  and  the  passenger  trains  are  al 
most  always  well  rilled." 

"  Yes,  I  have  no  doubt  a  New  York  syndicate  could  grind  a 
million  out  of  it  ;  but  we  pay  our  railroad  officials  living  wages, 
and  carry  passengers  and  freight  at  the  lowest  rates  possible  ;  hence 
the  difference." 

"  You  forget  the  sinking  fund  for  the  benefit  of  old  and  crippled 
railroaders,  papa." 

"  To  be  sure,  child.  Well,  that  alone  takes  about  $50,000  an 
nually,  but  the  community  owns  the  road ;  so,  what  is  the  use  to  rob 
Peter  to  pay  Paul '? " 

"  Who  owns  the  street-cars,  father?  "  Arthur  inquired. 

"  The  Commonwealth.  /.  e.  not  the  city  but  the  entire  popula 
tion  of  the  Valley.  They  also  own  the  banks." 

"  You  do  not  coin  your  own  money?" 

"  No,  for  the  sake  of  convenience  and  on  account  of  our  for 
eign  trade  we  use  the  coinage  of  Mexico  and  the  I  nited  States  of 
North  America,  which  are  identical,  you  know." 

"  And  how  large  is  your  circulating  medium,  I'ncle  ?  " 
"  About  SI 0,000, 000,  I  should  say.     Of  course   the  sum   fluctu 
ates  in  proportion  to  our  greater  or  smaller  indebtedness  to  foreign 
parties,    although    our    exports    fortunately    exceed    our     imports 
slightly." 

"  What  do  you  export,  father  ?" 

"  A  variety  of  articles,  the  principal  ones  being  raisins?  of  a  su 
perior  quality,  hides,  corned  beef,  silk  (raw  and  manufactured),  ma 
chines,  agricultural  implements,"  etc. 

"  And  where  is  your  market,  Tncle  ?  " 

"  Principally  in  Mexico  :  but  we  also  ship  to  Central  America 
and  California.  We  would  trade  more  with  the  latter  country,  but 
their  absurd  tariff  debars  us." 

"  How  so  absurd,  I'ncle  ?  Do  you  not  deem  it  proper  to  pro 
tect  the  industries  of  a  country?" 

"  It  is  not  a  question  of  propriety,  but  of  profit,  Philip.'' 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  20'J 

"  But  who  mediates  your  commerce,  father?  " 

' '  AATe  have  several  steamers  on  the  seas.  One  of  them  makes 
one  or  two  annual  voyages  "o  European  ports  ;  a  second  one  plies 
between  here  and  San  Francisco,  bringing  and  taking  our  mail,  and 
a  third  and  last  one  mediates  our  trade  with  Mexico  and  Central 
America." 

"  And  is  the  Rio  Frio  navigable  for  ocean  steamers  ?  " 

"  Yes,  for  the  first  twenty  miles,  which  is  all  we  need," 

"Strange  that  I  have  never  noticed  their  arrival  or  departure?" 

"  Not  so  strange  when  you  consider  that  Montezuma  is  seventy 
miles  from  the  coast,  and  that  these  vessels  universally  arrive  and 
depart  in  the  night." 

"But  you  surely  have  nothing  to  hide  or  fear,  Uncle  ?  " 

"  No,  Philip  ;  but  there  are  always  idlers  who  make  it  their  busi 
ness  to  attend  to  things  that  don't  concern  them,  and  it  does  not  suit 
\is  just  at  present,  and  will,  in  fact,  not  suit  us  for  a  while  to  have 
such  fellows  meddle  with  our  affairs." 

"  But,  father,  I  am  sure  the  Mexican  Government  knows  of 
you  ?  You  could  surely  not  hide  a  settlement  of  a  hundred 
thousand  souls  so  effectually  that  they  could  not  discover  it  if  they 
wanted  to  ?  ' ' 

"  I  give  you  credit  for  such  shrewd  observation,  Arthur.  You 
are  right.  The  Mexican  Government  knows  of  me  and  my  doings. 
I  have,  indeed,  warm  friends  amongst  the  highest  officials,  and  pay 
annually  a  considerable  sum  into  the  treasury,  but  they  know  I  do 
not  wish  to  be  noticed,  and  so  they  do  not  notice  me." 

"  You  surely  have  a  legislative  body,  Uncle?" 

"  Yes  a  council  of  ten  ;  one  councilor  for  every  ten  thousand 
inhabitants." 

"  Have  you  no  President?" 

"I  have  been  a  kind  of  President  thus  far,  but  shall  abdicate 
as  soon  as  the  constitution  is  adopted  by  the  people." 

"  And  when  will  that  be?  " 

"The  day  before  the  twenty -fifth  anniversary.  The  people  will 
then  elect  their  regular  President." 

"  AVhat  about  your  judicial  system,  Uncle?" 

"  We  have  two  common  judges  here  in  Montezuma,  one  in  Iron- 
ton  and  a  fourth  one  in  Enterprise.  From  these  judges  there  is  an 


204  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

appeal  to  the  Supreme  Court,  consisting  of  the  four  judges  men 
tioned  and  a  presiding  judge,  who  resides  in  Montezuma. 

"  And  these  five  judges  are  able  to  transact  the  legal  business 
of  the  entire  valley  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  and  I  am  sure  they  have  easy  times  of  it.  You 
must  remember  that  all  our  relations  are  so  simple  as  to  cause  little 
or  no  litigation. 

"  And  the  criminal  cases  ?  " 

"  Are  equally  rare.  We  have  never  yet  pronounced  sentence 
of  death,  but  in  extreme  cases  inflicted  banishment  from  the  val 
ley,  which  they  probably  fear  more  than  death." 

"  You  spoke  of  banks,  father.  Is  there  a  fixed  rate  of  interest 
here  ?  " 

"  Yes,  the  legal  rate  is  two  per  cent." 

"Two  per  cent.,  Uncle?  Why  at  that  rate  a  fellow  must  be 
rich  to  live  comfortably  on  his  interest  ?  " 

"  Correct,  Philip  ;  fortunately  we  have  not  a  single  one  of  such 
leeches  here.  It  was  for  the  very  purpose  of  preventing  the  growth 
of  such  fungi  that  the  interest  was  fixed  so  low." 

"  At  that  rate  you  will  never  get  foreign  capital  to  seek  invest 
ment  here." 

"  It  is  welcome  to  stay  away.  Strong  arms  and  willing  hands 
are  always  welcome,  provided  they  are  willing  to  submit  to  the  will 
of  the  majority,  but,  as  to  capital  as  such,  the  least  we  have  of  it 
the  better  we  shall  fare." 

"  One  more  question,  Uncle,  if  you  please.  I  heard  some  one 
say,  the  other  day,  that  there  was  little  or  no  trouble  to  get  a  di 
vorce  here.  Do  you  deem  it  wise  to  facilitate  such  steps  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  when  the  bond  of  matrimony  has  become  a  glaring 
lie  it  is  by  far  better  that  the  contractants  should  part  than  con 
tinue  to  forswear  themselves  ;  but,  while  we  facilitate  divorces  in 
cases  of  utter  lack  of  congeniality,  we  guard  against  the  hasty  and 
wanton  formation  of  the  marriage  tie." 

•'  But,  by  so  doing,  you  also  place  an  impediment  in  the  way  to 
increase  and  perpetuation." 

"No,  we  do  not  impede  the  consummation  of  marriages,  but 
prevent  a  hasty  and  inconsiderate  utterance  of  the  vow.  When 
a  couple  want  to  marry  they  have  to  make  their  betrothal  known 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  205 

a  year  before  the  marriage  ceremony  is  performed,  thus  forcing 
them  to  become  well  acquainted  with  each  other  before  binding 
themselves  for  life.  At  the  same  time,  while  facilitating  divorces, 
we  make  them  undesirable  by  forbiding  a  new  marriage  of  the 
separating  parties  for  the  term  of  five  jears.'" 

"That  may  prove  very  hard  under  circumstances." 

"It  may,  and  we  therefore  give  our  supreme  court  discretion 
ary  power  in  such  cases." 

Arthur  had  listened  with  such  absorbing  interest  that  he  had 
abstained  from  asking  any  questions.  When  Herbert  had  finished 
he  said : 

"I  thank  you  very  much  for  your  interesting  expositions.  You 
have  thrown  light  upon  many  things  that  were  dark  to  me.  I  feel 
intuitively  that  you  are  right,  and,  if  the  wonderful  prosperity  of 
Friedensthal  is  taken  as  a  criterion,  as,  in  my  opinion,  it  ought  to 
be,  your  principle  must  be  right.  I  now  long  more  than  ever  to 
participate  in  the  running  of  this  grand  machinery,  and  beg  you 
earnestly  to  give  me  active  employment." 

"Very  well,  my  boy;  but  to  get  the  employment  in  Friedens 
thal,  you  will  have  to  pass  our  customary  State  examination.  You 
perceive  it  would  not  do  to  ask  exemption  from  obligations  binding 
others,  for  such  a  step  would  justly  provoke  the  cry  of  partiality 
and,  what  would  be  even  worse,  subject  you  to  the  imputation  of 
ignorance  and  inability." 

"You  are  perfectly  correct,  father,  and  I  beg  you  to  take  the 
necessary  steps  without  delay." 

Thus  this  lesson  in  statesmanship  was  closed,  and  the  party  re 
tired  to  their  respective  rooms.  The  next  morning  Herbert  notifi 
ed  the  board  of  examiners  of  Arthur's  desire  to  be  examined  in 
chemistry,  mining  and  engineering,  and  on  the  day  following  the 
ordeal  took  place.  It  was  by  no  means  a  sham  examination  but 
made  even  more  than  commonly  severe,  by  Herbert's  \vish,  in 
order  to  afford  Arthur  an  opportunity  to  show  the  thoroughness  of 
his  acquirements.  The  result  showed  the  wisdom  of  his  course. 
Never  before  had  such  a  brilliant  examination  occured  in  Monte- 
zuma.  The  papers  spoke  of  it  in  glowing  terms,  and  the  president 
of  the  board  could  not  forbear  from  calling  upon  Herbert  and  con 
gratulating  him  warmly  upon  his  nephew's  success.  This  finished 


2(K)  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

the  young  man's  conquest  of  the  people  of  Friedensthal,  and  when 
he,  a  little  later,  received  the  appointment  of  Superintendent  of 
all  the  mines  in  the  valley,  with  a  salary  proportionate  to  his  work 
and  duties,  there  was  not  a  person  in  the  colony  who  did  not 
heartily  concur  in  the  appointment;  excepting,  of  course,  Philip 
and  his  brother,  who  both  nurtured  their  wrath  and  continued  plot 
ting  against  a  community  whose  florishing  condition  spoke  for  the 
excellence  of  its  institutions,  and  whose  continuence  was,  therefore, 
devoutly  to  be  hoped  and  wished  for  by  all  sincere  friends  of 
humanity.  But  what  does  sordid  egotism  or  groveling  lust  care  for 
humanity?  They  use  the  race  as  the  toper  uses  the  lemon,  squeez 
ing  out  the  juice  and  then  throwing  away  the  worthless  pulp. 

Meanwhile,  it  is  time  for  us  to  go  and  sec  how  the  hermit, 
against  his  will,  has  fared  in  the  mine.  For  that  purpose  we  join 
Clara  one  Saturday  evening  as  she  wends  her  way  to  Carlos'  farm, 
and,  after  spending  the  night  stealthily  in  the  hay-loft,  proceeds  to 
to  the  old  mine.  On  reaching  it  she  puts  her  basket  down  and 
goes  in  search  of  her  husband,  for  as  such  she  considers  him,  and 
such  she  calls  him  in  addressing  him.  He  is  not  far,  and  with  a 
cry  of  joy,  she  rushes  into  his  arms.  He  is  really  fond  of  her  in 
his  way,  but  his  affection  partakes  more  of  the  fondness  of  a  mas 
ter  for  a  faithful  mastiff  than  that  of  a  husband  for  his  wire.  He 
returned  her  caresses  in  a  languid  way,  asking  for  the  news  of  the 
town  and  at  the  same  time  cursing  the  solitude  of  his  residence  and 
the  necessity  which  keeps  him  there. 

"But  why  not  return,  my  Arturo?  "  she  said  tenderly.  "  I  am 
sure  father  Herbert  would  forgive  all  past  offenses,  and  give  you  a 
situation  which  would  support  you  and  me.  Oh,  Arturo,  do  re 
turn,  for  I  shall  soon  be  unable  to  hide  my  love  from  the  eyes  of 
the  world,  and  then  what  will  become  of  me  ?  " 

lie  stared  gloomily  into  the  vacant  air,  but  made  no  reply. 

"  Donna  Inez  will  put  in  a  good  word  for  us,"  she  continued, 
"and  so  will  Don  Arturo,  your  cousin,  who  is  really  an  excellent 
young  man.  He  has  received  a  great  office  now,  and  I  should  not 
wonder  if  he  and  my  misstress  would  soon  be  a  pair." 

He  started  as  if  stung  by  an  adder,  and,  pushing  her  rudely 
aside,  said  savagely  :  "What  did  you  say  ?  Soon  be  a  pair  ?  Not 
if  this  hand  does  not  forget  its  cunning," 


The  Treasure  of  Mbntezuma.      -  207 

"  How  rude  you  are  !  And  I  see  your  professions  of  love  are 
only  sham.  I  am  good  enough  to  gratify  your  passion,  but  your 
thoughts  still  dwell  with  my  mistress.  How  wretched  I  am  !  but 
I  shall  have  my  revenge.  I  am  going  to  kill  her  and  then  myself, 
to  end  a  life  which  has  no  longer  a  charm  for  me." 

Her  passionate  words  brought  him  back  to  his  senses.  He  drew 
her  back  to  his  arms  and  said  soothingly  : 

"Clara,  do  not  talk  so  wildly  and  foolishly.  Who  cares  for 
her?  Only  I  do  not  Avant  this  upstart  to  have  her.  You  say  he 
has  a  fat  office." 

"  Ye.s,  he  passed  a  splendid  examination,  they  say,  and  shortly 
after  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the  mines, at  a  large  salary." 

"And — and — they — they  look  sweetly  at  each  other,  do  they?" 

"  Yes,  they  do,  innocent  like,  you  know.  I  don't  think  he  has 
spoken  to  her  as  yet,  but  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  he  soon  would." 

He  had  to  make  a  great  effort  not  to  repeat  the  former  scene, 
but  at  last  succeeded. 

"  Did  you  bring  me  the  rum  ?  "  he  asked  gruffly. 

"Yes,  dear,  but  the  cigars  I  could  not  get.  There  is  not  an 
other  box  left  in  the  city,  they  say." 

"  He  replied  with  a  curse,  and  eagerly  swallowed  a  large  dram 
of  the  strong  liquor  she  had  brought  him.  This  seemed  to  soothe 
him,  for  he  became  more  social,  and  listened  patiently  to  her 
rambling  remarks,  although  he  could  not  force  himself  to  partici 
pate  much  in  the  conversation.  She  made  repeated  efforts  during 
the  day  to  persuade  liim  to  throw  himself  on  the  mercy  of  his  uncle, 
but  could  not  get  anything  but  the  vague  promise  that  he  would 
think  of  the  matter  and  let  her  know  on  the  occasion  of  her  next 
visit.  The  poor  girl  was  evidently  down-hearted,  and  left  towards 
evening  with  scalding  tears  in  her  eyes.  She  had  scarcely  disap 
peared,  when  he  also  took  his  departure,  taking  care  not  to  betray 
his  steps  to  her. 

On  reaching  Carlos'  farm,  he  entered  the  arbor  where  we  have 
met  him  so  often  and,  sitting  down,  abandoned  himself  to  his 
thoughts.  They  were  not  of  the  most  pleasant  kind.  His  rash 
venture  had  not  panned  out  very  well  up  to  this  time.  The  love 
for  his  cousin  had  only  been  a  source  of  grief  and  vexation,  and 
would  bring  more  grief  and  vexation  in  the  future.  But  of  one 


208  The  Tirunure  of  Montezuma. 

thing  he  felt  sure ;  if  he  was  not  to  call  the  girl  his  own  nobody 
else  should;  least  of  all  this  interloper,  who  had  come  to  win.  He 
was  now  determined  to  act  upon  his  brother's  advice  and  enter  into 
his  scheme  ;  but  before  doing  so  he  would  settle  his  account  with 
his  rival.  It  was  now  about  nine  o'clock,  and  the  inmates  of  the 
farm-house  were  likely  in  bed.  Nevertheless  he  determined  to 
make  an  attempt  to  speak  with  Carlos.  Of  the  dog  he  had  no  fears. 
He  had  been  so  often  at  the  farm  that  the  dog  had  become  ac 
customed,  if  not  friendly  to  him.  It  was  a  moonlight  night  ;  cau 
tiously  he  approached  the  house,  until  the  savage  growl  of  Pluto  ar 
rested  his  steps. 

"  Here  Pluto,"  he  saM,  soothingly  ;  and  his  words  had  the  de 
sired  effect,  for  the  dog  ceased  growling,  and,  after  a  last  dissatis 
fied  grunt,  retired  to  his  kennel.  There  was  light  in  the  house  yet, 
and,  on  getting  a  little  nearer,  the  bandit  heard  voices  and  laugh 
ter.  "  They  must  have  visitors,"  he  muttered  ;  "  that  is  fortunate, 
for  it  would  have  greatly  discommoded  me  not  to  speak  with  him 
to-night.  But  I  shall  have  to  wait  until  they  leave." 

He  retired  into  the  shade  of  a  building,  and  had  the  satisfaction 
of  hearing  the  party  breaking  up  soon  after.  The  host  accom 
panied  the  visitors  to  the  main  road,  and  was  not  a  little  startled 
when  the  bandit  intercepted  him  on  his  return. 

"But  this  is  reckless,  Captain,"  he  said  with  a  frown.  "Do 
you  know  that  I  have  good  reasons  for  believing  that  Father 
(Jrayo  suspects  our  intimacy  ?  '' 

"  Well,  let  him  suspect,  then.  I  am  going  to  leave  the  valley  in 
a  week  or  two,  and  meanwhile  you  must  manage  to  hide  me  at  the 
farm.  During  the  day  I  can  stay  in  the  arbor,  for  no  one  thinks  of 
searching  for  me,  and  during  the  night  1  can  crawl  into  the  hay 
loft,  unless  Dame  Marguerita  prefers  to  accommodate  me  with  one 
of  her  good  beds,  which  I  think  she  would  be  glad  to  do." 

Carlos  observed  a  dogged  silence,  until  the  bandit  at  length 
compelled  him  to  speak,  by  saying  sharply  : 

"  Well,  am  I  to  have  no  answer?  By  St.  Mercury,  don't  trifle 
with  me,  for  I  am  not  in  the  mood  to  stand  any  nonsense." 

"  You  say  you  are  going  to  leave  soon  ?  "  Carlos  now  inquired. 

"I  do  say  so  ;  but  don't  you  make  3113-  attempts  to  hurry   my 


The  Tf ensure  of  Montezuma.  209 

movements,  my  good  friend,  or  you  might  find  such  a  task  un 
profitable." 

Is  ever  before  had  the  farmer  seen  his  old  associate  so  surly.  He 
felt  instinctively  that  a  little  more  provocation  would  bring  on  a 
crisis  in  which  he  would  fare  badly,  whatever  the  result  might  be 
to  the  other,  so  he  said  : 

"  Well,  Captain,  have  your  own  way  ;  but  don't  blame  me  if 
you  come  to  harm.  Come  with' me  ;  there  is  a  little  room  over  the 
stable  with  a  bed  in  it ;  there  you  can  rest  well  enough." 

He  led  the  way  and  conducted  the  bandit  to  a  small  apartment, 
scantily  furnished,  but  comfortable  enough  to  pass  a  few  nights  in. 

"  I  must  not  tarry,"  he  said,  "  else  Marguerita  will  wonder  at 
my  absence  and  ply  me  with  questions.  I  shall  manage  in  some 
way  to  supply  you  with  meals  to-morrow.  If  they  fall  short  of 
your  expectations,  do  riot  blame  my  good  will,  but  circumstances 
over  which  I  have  no  control.  Good  night,  Captain." 

Next  morning  he  appeared  early,  carrying  a  basket  with  victu 
als  and  a  small  can  with  coffee-. 

"I  have  to  disturb  you  early,  Captain,"  he  said  ;  "  at  a  later 
hour  Marguerita  would  have  discovered  my  movements.  I  wish 
you  a  very  good  appetite." 

With  that  he  was  off  again.  The  bandit  breakfasted  as  well  he 
could  under  the  circumstances,  and  then  slipped  unseen  to  his  fa 
vorite  resort — the  arbor.  True,  he  could  not  indulge  in  the  luxury 
of  a  cigar,  but  Carlos  had  furnished  him  with  his  favorite  beverage, 
of  which  he  imbibed  more  freely  than  ever.  Drinking  and  musing 
he  spent  a  couple  of  hours,  and  was  on  the  point  of  yielding  to  the 
drowsiness  produced  by  his  potations,  when  he  suddenly  heard  the 
clatter  of  hoofs  on  the  near  highway,  and,  on  looking  through  the 
foliage,  discovered  the  very  persons  that  had  engaged  his  undivided 
thoughts  for  the  past  hours.  They  were  not  more  than  thirty  paces 
away,  and  Arthur  could  distinctly  hear  their  merry  laughter  and 
plainly  see  their  faces.  Something  like  a  blind  frenzy  took  hold  of 
him,  causing  him  to  shake  with  fury.  He  felt  like  rushing  forth 
and  slaying  them  both  on  the  spot,  and  it  was  with  the  greatest  dif 
ficulty  that  he  succeeded  in  resisting  this  mad  impulse.  They 
passed  at  a  rapid  canter,  and  soon  entered  the  woods,  the  bandit 
staring  at  the  spot  where  they  disappeared. 


210  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"The  devil  may  stand  this  much  longer,"  he  growled  ;  "  I,  for 
my  part,  can't." 

"  I  shall  watch  him  to  find  his  favorite  haunts,  and  then  tackle 
and  crush  the  life  out  of  him.  Wait,  my  fine  fellow,  when  you  feel 
my  grip  you  will  understand  that  there  is  quite  a  difference  between 
making  love  to  a  pretty  girl  and  righting  an  enraged  foe  in  mortal 
combat ;  for,  mind  you,  one  of  us  will  remain  on  the  battlefield.  I 
might  blow  your  brains  out  with  a  pistol  shot ;  but  there  is  a  foolish 
remnant  of  chivalry,  perhaps  honor,  left  in  me  which  makes  me 
shrink  from  such  a  thought  ;  but  I'll  nevertheless  make  sure  of  you, 
and  drink  your  life's  blood  with  a  gusto." 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

"  DKI:  wiM)Ki;sciioi:>'i;  MONAT  MAI.'' 

"That  means  in  English  :  "  The  wondroudy  beautiful  month 
of  May."  And  wondrously  beautiful,  indeed,  it  is  ;  but  not  in  the 
United  States,  where  it  would  surely  not  inspire  poets  to  singing 
praise.  In  Friedensthal  it  comes  somewhat  nearer  to  the  charms 
which  have  inspired  the  bards  of  all  ages,  though  in  that  low  lati 
tude  it  has  lost  the  freshness  forming  its  principal  attraction. 
Thanks  to  the  judicious  arrangements  of  Herbert,  however,  the 
abundant  supply  of  water  kept  the  grass  green  and  the  foliage 
fresh,  so  that  the  eye  might  well  reveal  the  picture  of  luxuriance 
which  the  entire  valley  presented.  Arthur  had  wondered  at  this 
seemingly  inexhaustible  supply  of  an  elementgenerally  too  scarce  in 
the  tropics  until  he  had  seen  the  measures  which  Herbert  had  taken 
to  husband  it.  It  is  not  the  want  of  water  which  generally  makes 
the  tropics  so  arid,  but  the  rare  intervals  at  which  the  clouds  open 
their  flood-gates.  When  their  rain  falls  it  generally  comes  in 
mighty  torrents,  and  the  person  who  can  manage  to  store  up  the 
surplus  then,  will  secure  a  bountiful  supply  for  the  entire  year. 
That  Herbert  had  been  able  to  accomplish,  favored  by  the  forma 
tions  of  the  mountains.  Just  north  of  the  valley,  towering  cliffs 


The  Treasure  of  Montezama.  211 

surrounded  a  gigantic  basin  which  slopes  towards  the  south,  and 
only  needed  a  short  wall  to  collect  the  rainfall  of  the  mountains 
and  the  melting  snow,  covering  the  neighboring  peaks  to  the  depth 
of  many  feet.  Similar  gullies  or  ravines  run  at  right  angles  with  and 
•between  the  knobs  forming  the  side  ranges,  excellently  adapted  for 
and  easily  changed  into  reservoirs  by  the  construction  of  strong 
though  short  dams  or  walls  at  the  inside  end.  Benefiting  by  these 
natural  advantages,  Herbert  had  succeeded  in  storing  an  immense 
quantity  of  water,  which  did  not  only  keep  the  river  of  the  valley 
sufficiently  high  foi1  the  supply  of  water-power  for  the  numerous 
industrial  establishments  on  its  banks,  but  also  irrigated  the  fields 
and  meadows  and  fed  the  numerous  fountains  which  toned  the  heat 
of  the  tropical  valley  into  that  of  the  temperate  zone. 

Under  these  circumstances  we  may  safely  say  that  May  pos 
sessed  even  in  Frirdensthal  some  of  that  magic  intoxication  of 
which  the  bards  sing  and  which  in  Germany  has  earned  it  the  name 
of  "  \Yonnemonat,"  or  "  month  of  delight."  But  whether  it  was 
its  magic  influence  which  fanned  the  tender  flame  burning  in  the 
bosoms  of  our  young  friends,  or  the  new-born  love  which  lent  this 
month  its  mystic  witchery,  it  cannot  be  denied  that  the  mutual  at 
tachment  developed  at  a  marvelous  rate,  threatening  to  burst  be 
fore  long  the  confines  of  the  prison  where  it  was  born.  Love 
lurked  in  their  eyes,  crept  from  the  points  of  their  fingers,  and  set 
hearts  into  such  a  tumultuous  uproar  that  they  resembled  more  the 
gigantic  forges  in  which  steel  is  hammered  than  the  unpretentious 
and  almost  imperceptible  organ  sending  lifeblood  through  our 
veins.  This  constant  hammering  was,  perhaps,  the  first  intimation 
which  the  young  people  received  of  the  fact  that  there  was  some 
thing  the  matter  with  them.  And  the  first  consciousness  of  this 
fact  drove  wave  after  wave  of  burning  glow  into  Inez's  cheeks, 
especially  when  she  found  herself  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  in 
Arthur's  presence.  This  glow  was  always  sure  to  produce  a  reflec 
tion  on  the  face  of  the  young  man.  The  conversation  which,  at 
first,  had  flowed  as  steadily  and  freely  as  the  streamlets  of  the 
valley  now  became  fitful  and,  at  times,  threatened  to  come  to  a  per 
fect  standstill.  It  is  not  in  the  nature  of  things  that  such  state  of 
affairs  should  continue  very  long,  and  hardly  had  Arthur  gained  a 
clear  insight  into  the  character  of  his  feelings,  when  he  told  him- 


212  The  Treasure  of  Monteznma. 

self  manliness  demanded  that  he  should  make  short  work  of  it  and 
speak  the  word  which  would  decide  his  fate.  But  to  form  a  resolu 
tion  and  to  carry  it  into  execution  are  two  different  things,  and  the 
young  man  would  have  rather  once  more  faced  a  grix/.ly  than 
stepped  before  this  gentle  creature  and  asked  whether  she  would 
have  him.  It  is  the  opportunity  which  has  accomplished  most 
heroic  deeds,  and  it  finally  accomplished  this  one. 

It  was  about  the  middle  of  May.  Arthur's  wound  had  fully 
healed  and  his  former  strength  had  completely  returned.  His  posi 
tion  was  by  no  means  a  sinecure,  and  occasional  absences  from  the 
Villa  were  so  frequent  that  the  hours  spent  there  in  Inez's  com 
pany  assumed  a  double  charm.  Best  of  all,  however,  Arthur  en 
joyed  the  rambles  he  would  make  in  her  company  through  the 
neighboring  h'elds  and  forest.  As  they  were  necessarily  short,  the 
pair  went  mostly  on  foot,  Inez  leaning  on  her  companion's  arm, 
feeling  a  trust  in  his  honor  and  confidence  in  his  strength,  blissful 
in  itself.  On  the  particular  afternoon  of  which  we  speak,  the  pair 
took  the  direction  of  Carlos'  farm,  little  dreaming  that  by  doing  so 
they  would  rouse  feelings  of  the  fiercest  kind  in  a  human  breast. 
Arthur  had  his  botanizing  box  with  him  and,  like  busy  bees  they 
flitted  from  flower  to  flower,  to  extract,  not  the  honey,  but  the 
various  properties  which  might  prove  them  to  be  useful  in  some 
department  of  industry.  In  doing  so  they  wandered  from  the  road 
and  soon  came  to  places  where  rocks  and  brambles  called  for  the  ex 
ercise  of  their  gymnastic  skill.  Then  it  was  that,  jumping  from 
rock  to  rock,  Inez  made  a  miscalculation  and  would  have  fallen  if 
Arthur,  who  stood  between,  had  not  caught  her  in  his  arms.  The 
impetus  of  the  spring  brought  her  close  to  his  beating  heart.  He 
felt  her  warm  breath  on  his  brow,  and  would  have  been  more  than 
human  if  he  had  resisted  the  sudden  impulse  of  clasping  her  to  his 
heart  with  a  fervor,  leaving  no  doubt  of  the  nature  of  his  feelings. 
For  a  moment  she  felt  like  one  stunned  by  the  suddenness  of  the 
demonstration  ;  then  a  deep  blush  spread  over  her  face  and  she 
made  a  feeble  effort  to  extricate  herself.  In  doing  so,  her  eyes  met 
his,  and  she  read  in  them  such  a  tale  of  fondness  and  devotion  that 
her  power  of  resistance  vanished  like  the  dewdrop  before  the  burn 
ing  sun.  Yielding  to  an  irresistable  impulse,  she  flung  her  arms 
around  his  neck  and,  hiding  her  burning  face  on  his  shoulder, 
whispered  :  "Dear  Arthur." 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  213 

For  a  few  moments  the  pair  stood  immovable,  overpowered  by 
feelings  both  so  novel  and  potent.  Then  a  sudden  thought  seemed 
to  strike  the  girl,  for  she  extricated  herself  with  a  strong  effort  and 
spoke  merely  one  word,  but  a  powerful  word,  indeed,  for  it  blanched 
the  cheek  of  the  young  man,  and  caused  him  to  shrink  back  in 
dismay. 

"  Bertha  !  "  was  all  she  exclaimed. 

It  certainly  staggered  him  for  a  moment,  and  created  the  sensa 
tion  as  if  cold  water  had  been  poured  down  his  back  ;  but  he  was 
not  very  long  in  regaining  his  composure. 

"Never  mind  Bertha!"  he  exclaimed  energetically  ;  "I  did 
not  know  what  I  was  doing  when  I  gave  the  promise  to  marry  her. 
It  would  be  perjury  to  wed  her  with  this  new  feeling  in  my  heart; 
she  will  listen  to  reason,  and  release  me.  Oh,  Inez,  how  I  love 
you,  and  how  happy  the  conciousness  of  your  love  makes  me!" 
He  held  her  hands  while  speaking,  and,  shy  though  the  remem 
brance  of  his  engagement  to  Bertha  had  made  her,  she  did  not  find 
it  in  her  heart  to  withdraw  them. 

"  Yes,  Arthur,"  she  said  gently,  "  I  do  love  you  ;  it  would  be 
useless  to  deny  it  to  you  and  to  myself ;  but  while  thus  bound  to 
somebody  else  it  would  be  wrong  to  allow  these  feelings  free  play. 
Come,  let  us  go  home  and  confide  our  trouble  to  father.  He  will 
tell  us  what  is  right,  and  to  his  decision  I  will  submit  without  a 
murmur." 

A  shadow  passed  over  his  features,  but  he  obeyed  and,  re 
linquishing  her  hands,  said  with  a  sigh  : 

"  Be  it  as  you  wish  Inez.  I  would  not  have  it  .said  that  you 
surpassed  me  in  fortitude  ;  but  this  I  tell  you  ;  all  the  Bertha's 
in  the  world  shall  not  succeed  in  forcing  me  to  give  you  up." 

Thus  they  turned  their  steps  homeward,  inexpressibly  happy  in 
consciousness  of  their  mutual  love,  and  yet  saddened  by  the  unfor 
tunate  vow  binding  Arthur's  hands.  On  reaching  home,  they  went 
directly  to  Herbert's  office,  where  they  found  him  reading  some 
official  papers,  submitted  to  his  inspection.  He  saw  at  once  that 
something  serious  had  happened,  although  he  had  failed  to  divine 
the  true  nature  of  the  trouble. 

"  Why,  what  is  the  matter,  children  ?"  he  inquired;  "have 
you  been  at  a  funeral,  or  has  an  old  woman  crossed  your  path  ?  " 


214  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"  Neither,  Papa,"  Inez  said,  throwing  herself  affectionately 
into  his  arms  ;  "  We  have  —  -  Arthur  has  — 

"Has  what?"  he  inquired:  the  truth  beginning  to  dawn  upon 
him. 

"  Has  told  me  that  he  loves  me  ;"  she  finished  with  a  mighty 
effort. 

"Well,  I  do  not  see  anything  in  that  to  cause  such  solemn 
faces.  Did  you  tell  him  you  did  not  want  him?  " 

"  No  father,  I  did  not,  for  1  love  him  dearly  in  return  ;  but  - 

"  But  what?  I  must  confess  I  .see  no  great  cause  for  misery  in 
these  facts." 

"  But,  Berth;1,"  was  all  she  could  ejaculate. 

"Oh,  yes,  I  recollect,"  Herbert  now  exclaimed.  "That  is  in 
deed  a  serious  obstacle  in  the  way.  I,  for  one,  do  not  regard  such 
matters  lightly,  but  the  circumstances  connected  with  this  engage 
ment  are  such  as  to  make  the  avowal  of  his  affection  to  you  quite 
excusable.  lie  would  wrong  Bertha  deeply  if,  with  such  feelings 
for  you,  he  would  offer  her  his  hand  in  marriage." 

''  Oh,  I  thank  you,  father,  for  thus  coming  to  my  aid,"  Arthur 
exclaimed. 

"  No  thanks,  my  boy.  I  must  tell  you  that  a  union  of  you  two 
has  always  been  a  favorite  idea  of  mine,  and  that  Friend  Stamm 
really  overstepped  his  authority  in  furthering  a  marriage  with  his 
niece.  He  meant  well,  though,  and,  in  consideration  of  the  great 
service  he  has  rendered  both  you  and  me,  we  may  readily  overlook 
this  attempt  to  bridge  a  vexing  dilemma.  As  to  the  girl,  I  think  I 
read  her  character  plainly.  It  was  money  considerations  which  in 
duced  her  to  assent  to  the  stipulation  of  the  testament,  and  money 
considerations  will,  no  doubt,  induce  her  tw  release  you.  Fortu 
nately  Anton  Stamm  facilitated  an  arrangement  by  making  the  es 
tate  over  to  me,  and  I  shall  take  without  delay  the  necessary  steps  to 
convey  it  back  to  her  on  condition  that  she  releases  you  from  your 
obligation." 

"Oh,  father,"  the  happy  couple  cried  as  with  one  voice,  grasp 
ing  his  hands  and  holding  them  affectionately.  He  looked  fully  as 
happy  as  they,  as  he  resumed : 

"I  am  sorry  to  say  that  I  do  not  entertain  the  very  highest 
opinion  of  this  girl,  who  is  certainly  mercenary,  if  nothing  worse: 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  215 

I  feel  also  pretty  sure  that  she  has  lost  her  heart  on  this  Philip, 
and  that  any  one  giving  her  a  clue  to  his  whereabouts  would  secure 
her  everlasting  gratitude." 

"  And  we  have  your  full  sanction  to  our  union,  father  ?" 
Arthur  exclaimed  jubilantly. 

"  So  much  so,"  he  replied  with  a  happy  smile  ;  "  that  if  you 
wish  it  I  shall  publish  your  betrothal  in  to-morrow's  papers.  You 
remember  that  our  laws  demand  such  a  step." 

"  Publish  it  to-night,  father,  publish  it  to-night,"  the  young 
man  cried  in  ecstacies.  Then  drawing  Inez  towards  her  father's 
knees,  he  said  solemnly  :  "And  now  father  give  us  your  blessing." 

Deeply  moved,  he  laid  his  hands  upon  their  heads  and- then, 
drawing  them  up,  enclosed  them  in  a  fervent  embrace. 

"I  have  suffered  much  in  my  life,"  he  said  with  tears  in  his 
eyes  ;  "but  this  moment  repays  me  richly  for  all.  I  trust  that  you 
will  be  spared  the  sad  experience  of  my  youth." 

The  radiant  happiness  lighting  up  the  faces  of  our  young 
friends,  as  they  left  the  office,  may  perhaps  be  imagined,  but  less 
easily  described.  The  same  thing  may  be  said  of  the  happy  days 
which  followed.  The  announcement  of  their  prospective  union 
gave  universal  satisfaction,  excepting  to  the  two  brothers.  It  was 
especially  Arthur  who,  being  more  passionate  and  less  given  to  self- 
control,  received  it  with  fearful  outbursts  of  passion,  unobserved 
by  any  witness,  but  none  the  less  terrible  on  that  account.  He  had 
been  trying  for  Aveeks  to  meet  his  cousin  alone  and  at  a  place  where 
he  could  carry  out  unobserved  his  purpose  of  wreaking  on  him  ven 
geance  for  daring  to  obtain  a  prize  denied  to  him  ;  and  finally  the 
very  success  of  his  rival  gave  him  the  opportunity  wished  for.  The 
climax  of  happiness  is  apt  to  incline  to  solitude,  to  be  alone  with, 
and  revel  in,  our  bliss.  So,  one  day,  Arthur  undertook  a  solitary 
ramble  into  the  region  which  had  witnessed  the  first  avowal  of  his 
passion.  He  loitered  in  the  vicinity  with  the  consciousness  of  so 
great  a  happiness,  and  was  at  last  on  the  point  of  wending  his  steps 
homeward,  when  a  figure  arose  before  him  with  a  suddenness  most 
startling.  To  heighten  the  effect  of  this  unexpected  apparition, 
Arthur  recognized  in  the  person  his  relative  who,  to  his  painful 
surprise,  was  under  the  influence  of  strong  drink.  There  was, 
moreover,  an  ugly  gleam  in  his  eyes,  forbodiug  little  good,  and  the 


216  The  Treasure  of  Monteznm<i. 

young  man  thought  it  prudent,  therefore,  to  step  back  a  step  and 
thus  avoid  coming  in  contact  with  a  man  whose  inebriated  condi 
tion  filled  him  with  mingled  pity  and  aversion.  The  other  mistook 
this  retrogressive  movement  for  fear. 

"Aha,"  he  sneered,  "  the  good  little  boy  is  scared.  Well, 
Sonny,  you  have  good  reason  to  be,  for  if  I  allow  you  to  leave  this 
place  alive,  you  will  take  with  you  so  impressive  a  lesson  that  you 
will  remember  for  the  remainder  of  your  days  the  danger  of  med 
dling  in  my  affairs." 

The  pity  which  had  at  first  filled  the  mind  of  our  young  friend 
vanished  with  these  Avords,  giving  way  to  unalloyed  contempt. 

"You  are  drunk,"  he  said  with  undisguised  disgust,  "and 
therefore  not  accountable  for  what  you  say.  Step  out  of  my  way, 
for  I  have  not  the  slightest  inclination  to  bandy  words  with  you." 

These  words  acted  upon  the  bandit  as  the  spark  does  upon  a 
cask  of  powder.  Without  a  word  in  reply,  he  merely  uttered  a 
howl  of  rage,  and  cast  himself  upon  the  other  with  a  vehemence 
which  came  well  nigh  upsetting  him.  He  staggered  and  would 
perhaps  have  fallen  if  the  drunkenness  of  the  aggressor  had  not 
made  the  onset  somewhat  unsteady.  This  circumstance  enabled  him 
to  regain  his  balance.  He  saw  at  once  that  this  would  be  a  struggle 
for  life  and  that  it  would  be  necessary  to  husband  his  strength  to 
resist  a  violence  made  doubly  dangerous  by  fury.  He  felt  that  his 
adversary  was  more  than  commonly  powerful  and  thanked  his 
lucky  stars  that  he  bad  not  been  compelled  to  encounter  him  while 
enfeebled  by  his  wound.  But  he  had  not  much  time  to  think  of 
anything  else  but  preparations  for  defense,  for  the  enraged  bandit 
pressed  him  with  a  persistency  requiring  all  his  strength  and  skill 
to  parry.  There  was  one  circumstance  in  his  favor,  however.  The 
fury  of  the  bandit  increased  with  every  second,  for  he  saw  that  his 
rival  was  not  the  weakling  he  had  imagined,  and  that  he  would 
have  to  try  his  very  best  to  overpower  him.  Kage,  however, 
blinds  and  exhausts  nt  the  same  time,  and  soon  the  bandit  gasped 
for  breath  and  the  veins  on  his  forehead  stood  out  like  whipcords. 
He  writhed  and  twisted  with  the  most  astonishing  agility  and 
swiftness,  and  more  than  once  the  two  combatants  fell  to  the  ground 
and  rolled  over  one  another  like  a  pair  of  serpeants  ;  but  Arthur 
always  managed  to  disengage  himself  and  regain  his  footing,  to  be 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  217 

eoon  once  more  entangled  in  a  new  onset  of  his  foe.  The  fury  of 
the  struggle  forbade  in  itself  its  long  continuance,  and  the  bandit, 
•who  probably  foresaw  his  final  defeat,  forgot  the  compunctions  of 
honor  of  which  he  had  boasted  in  a  former  soliloquy.  With  a 
new  howl  of  rage,  he  drew  a  huge  dirk  and  made  a  savage  lunge  at 
our  friend,  which  the  latter  avoided  only  with  difficulty  by  spring 
ing  aside.  This  treacherous  trick,  however,  had  the  effect  of  rous 
ing  in  turn  his  deepest  indignation.  Thus  far  he  had  contented 
himself  with  acting  on  the  defensive  ;  but  the  dastardly  lunge  with 
the  knife  showed  him  plainly  that  his  adversary  deserved  no  indul 
gence,  and  that  a  further  consideration  might  endanger  his  own 
life.  So,  rushing  upon  the  bandit,  he  struck  him  a  powerful  blow 
between  the  eyes,  just  as  the  latter  was  on  the  point  of  returning 
to  the  attack  with  the  dangerous  weapon.  This  blow  had  the  desired 
effect  as  it  was  almost  heavy  enough  to  fell  an  ox,  and  did  bring 
the  bandit  to  the  ground  as  if  he  had  been  a  mere  log.  There  he 
lay  in  utter  unconsciousness  while  the  victor  bent  over  him,  re 
covering  his  breath  and  ready  to  prevent  a  re-opening  of  the  battle, 
if  necessary.  It  was  not.  There  the  fellow  lay  like  one  dead,  and 
for  a  minute  Arthur  thought  he  had  killed  him.  But  on  a  closer 
examination  he  found  that  he  breathed  and  would  soon  recover 
from  his  swoon.  As  a  measure  of  precaution  Arthur  took  the 
knife  from  his  clenched  hand,  and  then  calmly  awaited  his  return 
to  consciousness.  Nor  had  he  long  to  wait.  A  minute  later  the 
prostrate  form  gave  decided  signs  of  animation,  and  the  bandit  was 
on  the  point  of  rising  to  a  sitting  posture  when  the  bushes  in  the 
neighborhood  rustled  and  a  new  figure  appeared  on  the  scene.  It 
was  Herbert,  who  uttered  a  cry  of  surprise  when  he  saw  the  two 
combatants,  both  of  whom  were  pretty  well  battered,  since  Arthur 
had  not  been  able  to  withstand  his  powerful  antagonist  without  be 
coming  badly  bruised. 

"  What  does  this  mean?"  he  cried  ;  then  guessing  the  truth,  he 
added  :  ' '  Did  he  attack  you  ?  ' ' 

"  Yes,  father,  he  undertook  to  punish  me  for  some  imaginary 
wrong  he  thought  I  had  done  him." 

"  And  this  knife  ;  he  did  not  dare  to  draw  it  on  you  ?  " 
"That's  what  he  did,  and  what  compelled  me  to  lay  him  out." 


218  Tlie  Treasure  of  Jfontezuina. 

"  But  this  is  outrageous,  and  must  not  be  endured.  I  shall  have 
him  arrested  and  placed  in  prison." 

"But  think  of  the  scandal,  father." 

"  Scandal  or  no  scandal,  I  cannot  allow  this  dangerous  fellow 
to  go  free  and  endanger  the  lives  of  my  friends.  He  must  leave 
the  valley,  and  that,  too,  without  delay." 

"But  can  we  not  accomplish  that  without  creating  a  public- 
scene  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  ;  perhaps  we  might,  but  I  shall  surely 
place  him  under  arrest."  With  this  he  blew  a  shrill  whistle,  and 
a  few  minutes  later  Arthur  saw  three  Indians  stepping  from  the 
bushes. 

"  Watch  this  fellow  during  the  day,"  he  said,  pointing  to  the 
bandit,  who  had  by  this  time  fully  recovered  his  senses.  "When 
dusk  has  set  in,  bring  him  to  the  Villa ;  without,  however,  creating 
any  disturbance  or  attracting  the  attention  of  the"  public." 

"What  are  you  going  to  do  to  me  uncle  V"  the  bandit  in 
quired. 

"  By  rights  I  ought  to  surrender  you  to  the  courts  ;  but  I  shall 
content  myself  with  banishing  you  from  the  valley,  unless  you 
provoke  me  by  further  criminal  attempts." 

"You  are  not  going  to  leave  me  here  in  the  custody  of  these 
savages,  1  hope  ?  " 

"  I  surely  shall.  They  are,  however,  not  by  far  as  savage  as 
you,  and  have  never  yet  drawn  a  knife  with  murderous  intentions 
upon  a  fellow-being." 

"  So  much  the  worse  for  them.  There  is  so  much  vermin  creep 
ing  about  now-a-days  that  it  would  be  a  mercy  to  have  it  dispatched. 
That  fellow  belongs  to  it,  and  I  am  very  sorry  that  I  did  not  suc 
ceed  in  dispatching  him." 

"  Come,  Arthur,"  Herbert  said  with  undisguised  contempt ;  "  I 
have  no  desire  to  listen  longer  to  such  billingsgate." 

"Well,  go,"  the  prisoner  sneered.  "To-day  I  am  in  your 
power  ;  but  if  ever  you  get  into  mine,  you  may  rest  assured  that 
you  will  fare  worse." 

Herbert  and  his  young  friend  did  not  wait  to  hear  any  more, 
but  pushing  aside  the  bushes,  strode  away  with  rapid  steps.  They 
went  first  to  Carlos1  farm,  where  thev  asked  for  water  to  wash  off 


The  TreaxiCi-e  of  Montezuma.  219 

the  blood  which  had  coagulated  on  Arthur's  face  and  then  cleaned 
his  clothes  to  avoid  the  attention  Avhich  their  soiled  condition  would 
be  sure  to  awake.  Marguerite's  sympathy  was  nearly  as  much  ex 
cited  as  her  curiosity,  which  is  saying  a  good  deal.  While  lending 
a  hand  in  the  restoration  of  the  young  man's  toilet,  she  asked  a 
number  of  questions  which,  in  spite  of  their  eagerness,  failed  in 
securing  the  desired  information. 

On  arriving  at  the  Villa,  Arthur  managed  to  reach  his  room 
without  being  seen,  or  at  least  being  closely  inspected  by  any  of 
the  servants.  It  would,  of  course,  be  impossible  to  hide  the  con 
flict  from  Inez,  who  was  very  much  shocked  at  the  brutal  conduct 
of  a  person  whom  she,  with  repugnance,  was  compelled  to  call  a 
relative.  A  little  after  sunset  the  Indians  brought  in  their  captive, 
who  was  taken  to  the  station  later  in  the  evening  and  transported  to 
Lakeview,  with  the  order  to  eject  him  unceremoniously  from  the 
valley.  When  Huattle  returned  the  next  morning  and  reported 
that  the  order  had  been  punctually  fulfilled,  Herbert  breathed 
more  freely,  expressing  his  earnest  hope  of  never  seeing  the  un 
welcome  guest  again. 

The  ejection  of  his  brother  was  not  officially  communicated  to 
Philip  ;  but  it  is  more  than  likely  that  he  suspected  it.  Clara  was 
almost  frantic  with  grief  at  the  disappearance  of  her  Arthur,  and 
well  she  might,  for  the  time  was  not  very  far  when  she  would  no 
longer  be  able  to  hide  her  intimacy  with  her  betrayer,  as  she  was 
inclined  to  consider  him.  Carlos  kept  his  counsel  and  did  not  be-' 
tray  his  intimacy  with  the  bandit,  which,  however,  was  strongly 
suspected  by  Herbert,  although  he  had  no  idea  of  the  criminality 
of  their  former  connection.  Marguerita  was  the  most  crestfallen 
of  the  family,  and  when  her  sister  confided  to  her  her  precarious 
condition,  she  was  as  ready  to  curse  the  seducer  as  she  had  been  at 
first  to  exalt  him.  Thus  many  a  little  undercurrent  disturbed  the 
tranquility  of  our  acquaintances.  Only  the  young  lovers  sailed 
peacefully  along  the  stream  of  their  new-born  felicity,  enjoying  the 
happiness  peculiar  to  persons  in  their  position,  but  apt  to  last  even 
with  them  only  too  short  a  season.  Let  us  hope  that  our  young 
friends  will  be  allowed  to  drain  the  cup  of  joy  to  the  very  dregs. 


220  The  Treasure  of  Motitezuma. 

CHAPTER  XX. 

OFFICIAL    JM'TIKS. 

We  have  learned  that  Arthur's  duties  were  both  numerous  and 
arduous  ;  but  he  took  pleasure  in  fulfilling  them,  and  soon  intro 
duced  many  valuable  improvements.  His  first  visit  to  Minersville, 
where  the  gold  and  silver  mines  are  situated,  proved  interesting  in 
the  extreme.  The  former  were  located  in  the  Pinaleno  Mountains, 
the  latter  in  the  Sierra  Madre.  The  accumulation  of  water  had 
been  a  source  of  annoyance  in  both  of  them.  Before  his  arrival 
pumps  of  various  devices  had  been  used  ;  but,  while  they  answered 
the  purpose  temporarily,  they  did  not  effect  a  permanent  cure  of 
the  evil,  and  therefore  failed  to  give  entire  satisfaction.  Even  the 
improved  pump  which  Arthur  introduced  failed  to  entirely  remedy 
the  matter,  and  he  therefore  studied  night  and  day  to  devise  means 
to  cure  the  evil  which,  if  not  corrected,  threatened  to  render  the 
mines  unremunerative.  In  studying  the  geology  of  the  neigh 
borhood,  he  noticed  that  the  strata  dipped  at  an  angle  of  about  ten 
degrees,  not  towards  the  valley,  but  parallel  with  the  range,  caus 
ing  the  water  to  now  in  that  direction.  His  predecessor  had  ordered 
several  artesian  wells  to  be  bored  at  the  foot  of  the  slope,  several 
hundred  feet  below  the  opening  of  the  shaft,  but  this  measure, 
while  affording  partial  relief,  had  not  had  the  desired  effect.  Ar 
thur  at  once  saw  the  reason.  The  water  vein  had  to  be  tapped 
south  of  the  shaft.  Nor  must  the  boring  be  done  too  near  the 
mine  and  very  deep,  in  order  to  do  any  good.  When  Arthur  com 
municated  his  ideas  to  Herbert,  the  latter  reflected  awhile  and  then 
remarked  : 

"That  sounds  plausible  enough,  but  these  deep  wells  cost  a 
good  deal  of  money,  and  unless  you  are  pretty  sure  that  they  will 
answer  the  purpose,  I  am  loath  to  make  the  venture.  How  many 
do  you  think  we  need  ?" 

"At  least  half  a  do/en  ;  but  one  would  suffice  to  show  us  how 
they  would  work,  and  would  therefore  suffice  for  the  venture.  Be 
sides  I  have  perfected  drills  ami  machinery  which  would  do  the 
work  doubly  as  quick  and  therefore  doubly  as  cheap." 

"  Well,  have  your   way,"   said  Herbert,  and  Arthur  was  not 


The  Treasure  of  Motittztt ma.  221 

slow  to  benefit  by  the  permission.  When  he  ordered  the  drilling 
to  be  commenced  a  mile  southwest  from  the  mines  his  subordinates 
smiled  at  the  folly  of  the  young  superintendent,  but  obeyed  with 
the  readiness  of  men  who  will  not  be  affected  by  the  failure  of  the 
experiment  and  who  would  like  nothing  better  than  to  see  the  pre 
sumptions  of  a  young  man,  who  knows  everything  better,  properly 
dampened.  But  when,  at  the  depth  of  about  four  hundred  feet, 
the  well  began  to  spout  at  a  great  rate,  and  the  water  in  the  mine 
ceased  to  rise,  it  was  these  very  wiseacres  who  had  forseen  tl  is  re 
sult,  and  would  have  applied  the  very  same  remedy  if  they  had  been 
asked.  The  well  fulfilled  its  mission  so  perfectly  that  there  was  no 
necessity  for  drilling  more  than  t^o  additional  ones,  after  the  com 
pletion  of  which  the  mine  was  perfectly  dry.  The  water  of  the 
wells  was  discharged  into  a  natural  depression  and,  running  into  the 
river  below,  formed  one  more  of  the  streamlets  which  constitute  a 
leading  and  charming  feature  of  the  valley.  This  success  encour 
aged  Arthur  in  the  proposition  and  subsequent  execution  of  other 
improvements,  and  he  had  not  been  three  months  in  his  new  posi 
tion  before  he  became  an  undisputed  authority  in  all  affairs  per 
taining  to  his  department.  Meanwhile  he  continued  to  inform  hiiu- 
self  in  all  other  matters  of  public  interest  connected  with  the  colony 
of  Friedensthal.  Amongst  other  things  the  condition  and  manage 
ment  of  the  numerous  factories  elicited  his  warmest  interest.  Most 
of  them  were  based  on  the  co-operative  system,  the  workmen  being 
at  the  same  time  the  stockholders.  As  many  of  them  were  not  suf 
ficiently  well  informed  to  learn  the  true  condition  of  the  establish 
ment  by  an  examination  of  the  books,  there  was  a  public  officer 
appointed  who,  on  demand  of  any  stockholder, 'had  the  privilege 
of  investigating  them  for  him.  The  men  received  weekly  pay 
ments  large  enough  to  meet  their  current  expenses.  The  surplus 
was  paid  them  in  the  shape  of  dividends  at  the  end  of  every  &ix 
months.  Even  in  those  establishments  owned  by  individuals  the 
workingmen  were  allowed  a  reasonable  share  of  the  profits,  and 
the  greater  care  and  interest  which  this  concession  excited  in  them 
richly  indemnified  the  proprietor  for  his  liberality.  We  have  al 
ready  noticed  that  the  greatest  cheerfulness  prevailed  in  all  the 
shops,  and  the  steady  application  of  the  men  as  well  as  the  large 
.amount  of  work  turned  out,  proved  plainly  that  cheerfulness  and 


222  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

hilarity  by  no  means  damage  industry.  Kight  hours  formed  a 
working  day  ;  but  there  were  numerous  holidays  which  Herbert 
took  the  greatest  care  to  make  profitable  to  his  protege*.  He  had 
spent  much  time,  money  and  labor  to  prepare  places  suitable  for  the 
holding  of  picnics  and  public  festivals.  Besides  a  number  of  parks 
in  the  towns,  there  were  places  in  the  forests  of  both  ranges  where 
halls,  bowling-alleys,  swings,  shooting  galleries  and  gymnastic  ap 
paratus  of  every  description  provided  for  the  amusement  of  visit 
ors  of  both  sexes  and  all  ages.  Restaurants  furnished  the  substan 
tial  comforts  of  life,  and  so  well  had  the  people  of  Friedensthal 
learned  to  control  their  passions  and  appetites  that  quarrels  and  drunk 
enness  were  entirely  unknown  at  their  festivals.  Herbert,  of 
course,  set  them  a  good  example.  Unlike  many  other  leading  men, 
he  did  rot  deem  it  below  his  dignity  to  frequent  the  festivities  of 
the  people,  but  made  it  a  point  to  be  present  himself,  and  even 
bring  Ine/,  who,  by  her  cheerfulness,  amiability  and  friendliness 
did  not  a  little  to  make  her  father's  benevolent  efforts  successful. 
Music  and  a  pure  and  instructive  stage  were,  as  the  reader  knows, 
two  most  powerful  agencies  for  public  ennoblement  and  improve 
ment  in  Herbert's  programme.  When  we  contemplate  the  misera 
ble  trash  now  performed  in  most  of  our  theaters,  we  cannot  repress 
the  wish  that  a  Herbert  might  arise  among  us,  with  the  power  to 
sweep  the  entire  rubbish  of  our  modern  stage  literature  into  the 
fire.  We  have  many  public  spirited  men,  but  strange  to  say,  there 
are  but  few  amongst  them  who  recogni/e  or  try  to  counteract  the 
sensational  tendency  of  the  age.  Not  only  our  physical  but  even 
our  intellectual  food  is  seasoned  so  highly  that  it  must  necessarily 
lead  to  the  total  derangement  of  our  nervous  system.  Look  at  the 
juvenile  literature  of  the  day.  While  our  periodicals  have  made 
marvelous  strides  in  the  direction  of  typographical  improvement 
they  have  greatly  deteriorated  in  regard  to  intrinsic  worth.  Kxam- 
ine  the  weekly  papers  devoted  to  the  entertainment  of  our  chil 
dren,  and  you  will  find  there  stories  as  untrue  to  real  life  as 
they  are  exciting  ;  or,  as  injudicious  persons  are  pleased  to  call 
them,  interesting.  We  feel  irresistably  driven  to  curse  such  an  in 
terest.  It  leads  to  a  misconception  of  life,  a  distaste  for  the  simple, 
natural  and  truly  beautiful.  In  the  interest  of  the  growing  genera 
tion  one  might  seriously  wish  the  revival  of  a  censorship  which, 


The  Treasure  of  Mbntezuma,  223 

with  a  merciless  hand,  would  train  our  juvenile  literature  to  nature 
and  common  sense.  The  publishers  of  these  juvenile  papers  load 
fearful  responsibility  upon  themselves  without  heeding  or  caring 
for  this  fact.  You  offer  them  a  story  with  a  moral,  a  story  full  of 
the  keenest  but  natural  interest,  though  free  from  the  false  and 
pernicious  sensationalism  of  the  age,  and  they  will  surely  return 
you  the  manuscript  with  the  polite  remark  that  the  story  does  not 
suit  their  paper,  or  rather  purpose.  Next,  compile  the  silliest  im 
possibilities,  heap  hair-breadth  escapes  upon  one  another,  paint 
your  pictures  as  untrue  to  life  as  possible,  and,  take  our  word  for 
it,  on  sending  the  nauseating  mixture  to  the  publisher,  you  will  re. 
ceive  the  most  complimentary  acknowledgments  of  your  literary 
ability,  and  the  request  to  write  henceforth  exclusively  for  his 
valuable  (?)  periodical.  If  that  is  not  placing  a  premium  upon  medi 
ocrity  and  unscrupulousness  we  do  not  know  what  is.  The  temp 
tation  for  scribblers  is  certainly  great,  especially  when  backed  by 
want.  And  when  they  yield  to  it  we  ought  to  lay  the  blame 
where  it  belongs,  /.  ?.  at  the  door  of  unconscientious  publisher. 

The  press  of  Friedensthal  was,  or  rather  is,  perfectly  free  ;  but 
Herbert,  who  furnished  the  funds  for  this  establishment,  made  the 
stipulation  that  the  proprietor  should  abstain  from  catering  to  the 
vicious  taste  which  revels  in  abuse,  slander  and  vituperation,  at 
the  risk  of  forfeiting  the  donation.  Thus  Friedensthal  witnessed 
the  issue  of  three  daily  papers  free  from  the  slum  disgracing  so 
many  of  our  news  papers.  On  closer  inquiry,  Arthur  discovered 
that  almost  all  the  capital  invested  in  the  enterprises  of  the  valley 
had  been  originally  furnished  by  Herbert,  at  the  low  rate  of  inter 
est  mentioned  at  another  place,  but  most  of  the  money  had  been 
paid  back,  and  was  held  by  the  banks,  not  for  speculation,  but  for 
the  purpose  of  assisting  newcomers  or  older  colonists  who  might 
desire  to  embark  in  any  legitimate  business. 

"But,  how  do  you  secure  such  loans,  father?  "  Arthur  inquired, 
when  he  learned  these  facts.  "The  land  does  not  belong  to  the 
parties,  and  I  do  not  see  how  they  can  give  very  efficient  security." 

"They  own  the  improvements,  Arthur,  which  we  compell  them 
to  insure  against  fire  for  half  their  real  value  in  our,  i.  e.  in  the 
community's  favor.  There  is  not  much  danger,  however,  for  thus 
far  we  have  not  had  a  single  failure  in  the  valley,  and  do  not  ap- 


224  The  Ti'ct(>sure  of  Montesuma. 

preliend  any  in  the  future,  as  all  our  institutions  are  based  upon 
equity  and  justice  and  an  exorbitant  interest  is  not  eating  out  the 
vitals  of  our  shops  and  factories.  I  would  have  donated  the 
suras  needed  for  the  development  of  our  resources,  if  I  had  not  been 
taught  by  experience  that  such  donotions  are  not  judicious  and,  on 
the  other  hand,  did  not  consider  myself  the  mere  steward  of  the 
riches  which  fortune  has  showered  upon  me  and  which  I  only  hold 
and  use  for  the  general  good." 

"As  you  mention  the  matter  yourself ,  father;  would  it  be  in 
discrete  to  ask  you  how  you  were  so  fortunate  as  to  secure  such 
treasures?  " 

"Not  at  all,  Arthur.  You  are  my  worthy  assistant,  and  will 
probably  be  my  successor  in  my  schemes,  and  it  is  therefore,  not 
more  than  right  that  you  should  have  a  clear  insight  into  everything 
connected  with  my  operations.  You  know  already,"  he  resumed 
after  a  short  pause,  "  that  I  participated  in  the  revolution  of  '48, 
was  captured,  courtmartialed  and  sentenced  to  be  shot.  I  had 
been  induced  by  the  purest  motives  to  join  in  the  hazardous  enter 
prise  and  did  not  complain  much  of  treatment  which,  from  their 
stand-point,  was  probably  consistent  enough  ;  but  I  was  betrothed 
to  an  excellent  young  lady,  and  for  her  sake  I  would  have  liked  to. 
live.  When,  therefore,  on  the  eve  of  my  execution,  an  old  servant 
managed  to  reach  me  through  a  secret  passage  of  the  castle  where  I 
was  confined,  I  eagerly  grasped  at  the  opportunity  of  escape  thus 
unexpectedly  offered  to  me.  Little  did  I  dream  at  that  moment 
that  my  rescue  would  furnish  a  fiend  in  human  shape  an  opportun 
ity  to  wreck  the  happiness  of  two  lives,  else  I  would  have  scorned 
the  thought  of  hjght.  Let  me  pass  rapidly  over  the  wretched  years 
that  followed.  First,  I  was  led  to  believe  by  circumstances  that  Laura 
Stamm  had  been  faithless  to  me,  blinded  by  the  brilliant  prospects 
of  the  man  she  married.  The  king  had  rewarded  his  loyalty  by 
granting  to  him  my  "confiscated  property,  and  he  rose  from  office  to 
office.  A  weak  woman  might  well  be  suspected  of  yielding  to  such 
a  temptation,  but  this  imaginary  fickleness  made  a  misanthrope 
of  me  and  drove  me  into  the  wilderness,  there  to  avoid  the  sight 
of  man.  It  was  only  six  years  later,  on  the  occasion  of  the  visit  to 
Germany  known  to  you,  that  I  learned  how  I  had  wronged  Laura, 
and  that  she  had  sacrificed  her  life  and,  what  was  more,  her  happi- 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  225 

ness  for  me.  I  shall  not  dwell  upon  this  discovery,  but  you  may 
well  imagine  how  I  hated  a  race  which  entertained  such  a  monster 
as  this  Arnold  amongst  its  members.  Let  me  proceed  with  my 
narrative.  Listlessly  I  wandered  from  place  to  place,  shuning,  as 
much  as  possible,  the  habitations  of  man.  Mexico  suited  me  better 
than  any  other  country,  for  theYe  the  populace  is  thinly  scattered 
and  I  could  spend  months  without  seeing  a  member  of  the  hated 
race.  On  my  wanderings  I  met  occasionally  the  fragments  of  the 
Indian  race  which,  at  one  time,  had  densely  peopled  these  plains  and 
mountains.  Against  them  T  bore  no  grudge ;  on  the  contrary  I 
pitied  them  as  victims  of  the  same  false  civilization,  which  had  de 
stroyed  my  happiness.  Gradually  I  became  more  acquainted  with 
them,  and  descovered  so  many  noble  traits  under  their  red  skin 
that  I  learned  to  love  and  respect  them.  I  spent  most  of  my  time 
in  their  midst  and  when,  about  the  beginning  of  '51,  the  small 
pox  made  its  appearance  among  my  new  friends  and  threat 
ened  to  exterminite  them,  I  u.-ed  ;ill  the  medical  skill  at  my  com 
mand  to  save  them.  I  was  marvi  lously  successful,  for,  though  a 
few  fell  victims  to  the  scourge,  I  managed  to  snatch  the  great  ma 
jority  from  the  jaws  of  a  dreadful  death.  You  have  no  idea  of 
the  gratitude  of  these  poor  people.  It  was,  indeed,  entirely  out  of 
proportion  to  the  service  I  had  been  fortunate  enough  to  render  them. 
One  day  they  led  me  through  a  subterranean  passage  into  this  beau 
tiful  valley  and  begged  me  to  accept  it  as  a  token  of  their  gratitude, 
for  to  these  people  these  fair  regions  belonged,  if  the  soil  can  at  all 
be  said  to  belong  to  the  children  of  men.  Next  they  led  me  into  a 
cave  where  the  unfortunate  Montezuma  had  hidden  his  treasures 
from  Cortez  and  his  greedy  followers,  preferring  to  die  bravely 
under  slow  torture  to  divulging  a  secret  so  coveted  by  his  foes- 
There  his  treasures  lay,  but  I  had  no  desire  for  the  precious  metal 
piled  up  there  in  huge  heaps  ;  no  desire  for  the  kind  offer  of  my 
red  friends  to  consider  myself  the  proprietor  of  all  this  wealth  ;  but 
I  accepted  their  invitation  to  live  with  them  in  this  beautiful  Eden, 
whose  chief  charm  in  my  eyes  was  its  remoteness  from  human 
habitations.  The  nobleness  of  these  Red  men  had  gradually  soft 
ened  my  feelings  ;  but  it  was  quite  awhile  before  1  conceived  the 
plan  of  founding  here  an  asylum  where  justice  and  brotherly  love 
form  the  corner  stones  and  whence  an  aggressive  warfare  might 
henceforth  be  carried  on  against  the  foes  of  the  human  race." 

15 


226  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"  And  his  treasure  is  still  in  existence  ?  " 

"  Not  in  its  original  shape.  I  had  to  spend  five  millions  in  the 
purchase  of  this  valley,  for  the  Government  of  Mexico  would  not, 
of  course,  recognize  the  claims  of  the  poor  indians,  the  original  and 
rightful  owners.  The  rest  I  invested  in  so-called  good  securities, 
for,  though  opposed  to  high  interest,  which  grinds  the  marrow  from 
the  bones  of  the  people,  i  knew  that  the  greatest  treasure  would 
melt  under  the  drafts  which  my  plans  would  force  me  to  make 
upon  it,  and  that  1  could  only  hope  to  battle  with  the  foes  of  man 
kind  by  frightening  them  with  their  own  weapons.  So  I  bought 
land  in  local  cities  where  it  has  since  doubled  its  value.  I  hold 
Government  bonds  and  am,  in  the  common  sense  of  the  term,  a 
rich  man.  I  myself,  however,  do  not  consider  myself  so.  In  a  few 
months  I  shall  divest  myself  of  this  beautiful  valley,  for  fear  that 
some  unforeseen  obstacle  might  prevent  me  from  doing  so  later. 
The  colonies  in  the  old  world  I  shall  dispose  of  in  the  same  manner ; 
the  funds  invested  in  various  places,  I  shall  put  in  such  a  shape  as 
to  secure  them  forever  to  the  purposes  for  which  I  intend  them.  If 
to-morrow  is  a  fair  day  I  shall  take  you  to  the  cave  where  Monte- 
y.uma's  teasure  was  once  deposited  and,  what  is  more,  I  shall  invite 
Philip  to  accompany  us.  He  is  exceedingly  anxious  to  learn  all 
about  it,  and  when  he  sees  the  vault  empty,  he  may  quicken  his 
departure  ;  a  step  which  would  please  me  very  much,  as  I  do  not 
appreciate  his  company  and  dislike  to  show  a  friendliness  which  I 
do  not  feel." 

Philip  was  greatly  surprised  on  the  following  day  at  his  uncle's 
suggestion,  to  accompany  him  and  Arthur  to  the  vault  of  Monte- 
zuma,  though  he  took  good  care  not  to  betray  the  satisfaction  which 
the  proposal  gave  him.  Inez  also  joined  the  party.  To  her  the 
sight  was  nothing  new  and  it  was  more  for  the  sake  of  company, 
she  said,  than  anything  else  that  she  went  along.  Herbert  led  the 
way.  The  party  took  the  street  cars  and,  on  the  arrival  at  the  depot, 
boarded  the  morning  train  for  the  south.  At  Enterprise  they  left 
the  train  to  board  the  caboose  of  a  freight  train  which  proceeded 
on  a  separate  track,  cutting  the  valley  diagonally  and  rising  gradu 
ally  until  it  had  ascended  the  slope  of  the  Pinaleno  range  to  the 
heighth  of  about  a  hundred  feet.  Then  it  resumed  its  original  di 
rection,  running  along  the  mountain  side,  crossing  numerous  ravines 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  227 

on  solid  bridges,  and  finally  halting  at  a  depot  about  three  miles 
west  of  Lakeview,  which  place  could  be  easily  discerned.  Here 
Herbert  invited  his  companions  to  alight.  Providing  himself  with 
a  lighted  lantern,  he  led  the  way  up  a  steep  and  narrow  ravine,  at 
the  end  of  which  an  opening  in  the  rocks  indicated  the  existence  of 
a  cave.  Herbert  entered  the  aperture,  leading  the  others  along  a 
rough  and  even  difficult  passage  until  suddenly  the  cave  came  to 
an  end.  Arthur  and  Philip  looked  expectantly,  but  Herbert 
merely  said  : 

"  We  are  at  the  entrance — can  you  tell  me  where  it  is  ?  " 

"  Philip  looked  around,  but  confessed  that  he  failed  to  discover 
any  trace  of  an  entrance  or  a  gate  closing  it.  Nor  was  Arthur 
more  successful  as  far  as  his  eyes  were  concerned  ;  but  he  refused 
to  give  up,  and  began  to  pound  the  rocky  ledge  carefully  Avith  his 
cane.  At  one  place  the  sound  was  much  more  hollow  than  at  the 
others  and  he  said  confidently  :  "  The  entrance  must  be  here." 

"  I  call  that  cleverly  done,"  said  Herbert;  "You  have  really 
discovered  it.  This,  however,  is  not  the  original  entrance,  whose 
obstacles  were  so  great  as  to  require  both  courage  and  strength  to 
overcome  them.  Powder  has  greatly  facilitated  our  visit." 

With  this  he  drew  a  key  from  his  pocket  and  inserting  it  in  a 
hole  which  had  escaped  their  observation,  unlocked  and  opened  a 
ponderous  door  so  ingeniously  fitted  into  the  rock  as  to  escape  even 
the  closest  scrutiny.  A  moist,  clammy  air  came  from  the  opening, 
showing  that  the  cave  was  but  rarely  visited.  Herbert  once  more 
led  the  way,  which  was  sufficiently  rough  to  tax  any  thin-soled 
shoes  the  visitor  might  Avear,  but  presenting  nothing  in  the  shape 
of  danger.  After  proceeding  about  a  hundred  steps,  the  passage 
came  once  more  to  an  end,  and  a  second  door  had  to  be  opened  be 
fore  they  could  continue  their  march.  The  impediment  being  re 
moved,  the  party  entered  an  apartment  of  moderate  size  which 
involuntarily  drew  from  the  young  men  an  exclamation  of  surprise 
and  delight.  The  light  of  the  lantern  was  reflected  a  thousandfold 
from  the  ceiling  and  walls,  which  Arthur,  on  a  closer  examination, 
found  to  consist  of  myriads  of  quartz  crystals.  It  was  truly  a  scene 
from  the  Arabian  Nights,  only  that  these  crystals  were  of  no  value 
whatever. 

"  A  fit  place  for  a  treasure,"  said  Philip.    "  After  this  glorious 


228  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

introduction,  uncle,  we  have  the  right  to  expect  something  wonder* 
ful." 

"Then,  you  will  have  to  draw  on  your  imagination,  Philip," 
for  the  treasure  itself  has  taken  wings  and  assumed  the  shape  of 
roads  and  bridges  and  acqueducts  ;  in  short,  all  the  works  of  human 
ingenuity  which  you  perceive  in  Friedensthal." 

"Then  this  is  a  sell,  uncle,"  Philip  remarked,  who  had  to 
summon  all  his  self-control  not  to  show  his  disappointment. 

"Not  exactly,  at  least  not  an  intentional  one,  for  I  merely 
promised  to  show  you  the  place  where  Montezuma's  treasures  were 
once  kept.  We  live  in  too  practical  an  age  to  allow  it  to  retain 
such  an  unprofitable  shape.  Don't  you  think  its  present  form  is  by 
far  more  comely  and  profitable  ?  " 

"  I  cannot  deny  the  force  of  your  remarks  ;  but  I  should  think 
it  would  have  been  proper  to  preserve  at  least  a  few  specimens  of 
Aztec  art." 

"  I  thought  like  you,  Philip,"  Herbert  remarked  dryly  ;  "and 
if  you  will  call  at  my  office  to-morrow  I  can  show  you  some  very 
fine  specimens  of  Aztec  art.  Now,  my  friends  if  you  are  through 
with  the  inspection  of  the  vault,  I  shall  lead  you  hence  and  show 
you  a  few  of  the  things  into  which  this  musty  treasure  has  been 
changed.  If  not  very  romantic,  they  are  at  least  exceedingly 
practicle,  and  have  greatly  increased  the  comforts  of  every  day 
life,  a  circumstance  not  to  be  at  all  despised,  void  of  romance 
though  it  may  be." 

He  led  the  way  from  the  cave  and,  on  their  arrival  at  the  sta 
tion,  invited  his  companions  to  get  with  him  into  the  cab  of  the 
locomotive,  which  they  had  scarcely  reached,  when  it  gave  a  snort 
and  steamed  with  its  passengers  to  the  end  of  the  road,  which  was 
about  three  miles  further  southwest.  The  terminus  was  a  wide  and 
high  tunnel,  with  apparently  no  opening  at  the  far  end,  making  the 
lantern  once  more  desirable  if  not  necessary." 

"  Is  everything  safe,  Conrad?"  Herbert  inquired  of  one  of  the 
railroad  officials. 

"  Yes  sir,  the  coast  is  clear,  no  human  being  to  be  seen  far  or 
near." 

"  Verv  well ;  please  open  the  gates  then. 

The  man  obeyed  and,  turning  a  lever,  set  some  machinery  in 


77if  Treasure  <>f  Montczuintt. 


motion.  The  wall  opened,  and  two  ponderous  gates  began  to  swing 
inwardly,  whose  outer  surfaces  resembled  the  neighboring  rocks. 
The  rails  reached  to  the  very  edge  of  the  cliff  and,  on  looking  out, 
Arthur  perceived  that  the  ledge  descended  about  sixty  or  seventy 
feet  to  a  river  bound  by  gigantic  cliffs  on  both  sides.  The  one 
from  which  he  ga/ed  receded  below,  causing  the  upper  edge  to  pro 
ject  at  least  ten  feet  over  the  lower.  At  the  end  the  rails  were  bent 
upward  and,  to  make  them  still  more  secure,  heavy  iron  posts  were 
bedded  in  the  solid  rock.  While  still  ga/ing  he  heard  a  rumbling 
noise  behind  him  and.  looking  back,  noticed  a  ponderous  crane  on 
wheels  approaching  the  edge.  He  stepped  aside  to  make  way  for  the 
monster,  which  had  no  sooner  ceased  to  rumble,  than  Herbert  said  : 

"  Here,  my  friends,  you  see  the  giant  which  mediates  our  inter 
course  with  the  world.  Plow  strange  and  different  are  the  things 
it  has  lifted  into  our  valley  !  To-day  it  was  a  horse  or  a  cow  ;  to 
morrow,  a  piano  or  an  organ.  All  the  first  rails  for  our  railway  it 
has  lifted  up  this  cliff  and,  what  is  more,  also  the  first  locomotive, 
of  course,  not  as  a  whole,  but  in  parts  and  pieces." 

"  But  you  must  have  begun  in  a  simpler  way  than  that,  father.' 

"80  we  did,  Arthur,  so  we  did.  The  first  goods  were  either 
hoisted  here  with  a  simple  pulley  or  transported  on  the  back  of 
mules  to  the  waterfalls,  to  be  transferred  to  the  shoulders  of  two- 
legged  beasts  of  burden." 

"  You  must  have  had  a  hard  time  of  it,  father?  " 

11  We  were  not  quite  so  comfortably  fixed  as  now,  that  is  a  fact, 
Arthur,  but  our  life  resembled  that  of  Robinson  Crusoe,  which 
must  surely  have  had  its  charms,  or  it  would  not  have  been  de 
voured  by  every  boy  in  creation." 

"  It  must  have  been  delightful—  on  paper,"  said  Philip,  with  a 
shrug  ;  "  I,  for  my  part,  prefer  eating  berries  to  picking  them." 

"  A  short  but  masterly  way  of  expressing  egotism,"  suggested 
Herbert. 

"A  weakness  to  which  I  confess,"  Philip  replied  coolly. 

"  Perhaps  it  would  crop  out  without  such  confession." 

"  Well,  perhaps  it  would.  If  equality  of  men  signifies  an  equal 
obligation  of  bearing  burdens,  I,  for  one,  renounce  my  claim  to  it." 

The  others  knew  the  speaker  too  well  to  doubt  the  sincerity  of 
these  words  ;  nevertheless  the  undisguised  cynicism  jarred  un  pleas- 


230  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

antly  upon  their  feelings,  and  they  were  glad  when  Herbert  gave 
the  signal  for  departure.  The  locomotive  took  them  back  to  En 
terprise,  which  place  they  reached  just  in  time  for  the  noon  train 
for  Montezuma. 


CHAPTER  XXL 

AN    INVASION". 

August  had  set  in.  One  more  month  and  the  great  day  would 
break  on  which  the  people  of  Friedensthal  would  commence  their 
career  of  independence.  Not  that  they  were  very  anxious  for  such 
an  event  ;  because  they  had  been  so  happy  and  prosperous  under 
the  benevolent  rule  of  Father  Herbert  that  they  did  not  wish  for 
and,  in  fact,  did  not  need  a  change.  If  despots  were  perfect,  des 
potism  would  be  the  better  form  of  government,  for  it  would  allow 
unity  of  action  which  democracy  rarely  shows  ;  but  unfortunately 
despotism  is  so  apt  to  corrupt  the  despot  himself  that  the  son  is 
very  apt  to  be  a  Nero  while  the  father  was  a  Turk.  Herbert  knew 
this,  and  had,  therefore,  from  the  beginning  given  his  people  a 
share  in  the  government,  judging  that  it  takes  much  time  to  become 
expert  in  this,  the  most  difficult  of  all  sciences. 

Arthur  had,  meanwhile,  gained  a  more  perfect  insight  into 
Herbert's  plans,  and  the  more  he  saw  of  them  the  more  he  admired 
them.  They  did  not  merely  embrace  the  present  hour,  but  were 
calculated  to  embrace  the  distant  future  of  his  proteges.  The  in 
vestments  in  the  various  countries  were  so  judiciously  made  as 
to  secure  not  only  the  means  of  executing  his  gigantic  plans, 
but  result  in  the  permanent  and  continuous  advancement  of  his 
philanthropic  ideas.  He  owned,  for  instance,  large  tracts  in  the 
upper  parts  of  New  York  City,  which  had  risen  to  the  value  of 
many  millions,  but  could  never  be  held  in  fee  simple  by  anybody. 
They  were  to  be  leased  on  the  payment  of  a  ground  rent,  the 
amount  of  which  was  to  be  determined  every  ten  years  by  trustees 
elected  by  and  consisting  of  the  occupants  themselves,  and  could 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  231 

never  rise  above  two  per  cent  of  the  actual  value.  The  income  thus 
realized  was  to  be  spent  in  paying  the  taxes  imposed  by  the  muni 
cipal  authorities,  and  the  surplus,  if  such  there  should  be,  be  de 
voted  to  the  establishment  of  new  or  the  furtherance  of  existing 
corporations  of  a  like  character.  Pure  charity  was  strictly  forbid 
den,  for  Herbert  held,  as  the  reader  knows,  that  charity  degrades 
the  receiver,  and  would  not  exist  if  justice  were  properly  adminis 
tered  to  all. 

Similar  donations  had  been  made  in  the  large  cities  of  the 
old  world,  and  where  the  despotic  laws  of  the  State  prevented 
them,  provision  had  been  made  which  tended  to  the  erection  of 
such  institutions  in  the  future. 

It  may  be  imagined  that  the  execution  of  these  gigantic  plans 
required  a  great  deal  of  labor.  Herbert  employed  a  number  of 
clerks  who  had  to  write  his  numerous  letters  and,  when  done,  sub 
mit  them  to  his  inspection  and  for  signature. 

But  there  were  confidential  letters  which  Herbert  did  not  wish 
to  have  exposed  to  the  gaze  of  these  clerks,  and  in  the  writing  of 
them  Arthur  soon  rendered  invaluable  service.  He  was  astonished 
to  see  that  Herbert's  correspondents  included  some  of  the  leading 
statesmen  of  both  the  Old  and  New  World,  and  that  many  of 
them  were  actually  in  his  employ,  giving  him  valuable  informa 
tion,  and  in  this  way  aiding  him,  probably  much  against  their 
views  and  inclinations.  Arthur  discovered  on  more  than  one  occa 
sion  Herbert's  hand  in  the  consummation  of  political  transactions 
which  the  public  ,  ascribed  to  different  agencies,  and  which  the 
young  man  now,  for  the  first  time,  saw  in  their  true  light.  Never 
before  had  he  understood  the  immense  power  which  great  wealth 
wields,  and  became  daily  a  more  ardent  adherent  to  Herbert's 
theory  that  millionaires  are  too  potent  factors  in  our  social  fabric  to 
be  endured.  Occasionally  a  millionaire  may  use  his  money  and  in 
fluence  for  the  benefit  of  the  world,  but  such  cases  are  exceptions 
too  rare  to  remove  the  great  danger  to  the  race  arising  from  the 
rest.  It  would  be  pleasure  of  the  purest  kind  to  fill  page  after 
page  with  a  detailed  description  of  all  the  noble  work  which  these 
men  performed  day  after  day,  to  chronicle  their  sayings  and  watch 
their  recreations,  which  were  very  often  another  form  of  their  ex 
ertions  for  the  good  of  the  human  race  ;  but  our  space  is  limited,  and 


232  The  Treasure  of  Montezumu, 

we  are  forced  to  turn  our  attention  to  developments  far  less  calcu 
lated  to  inspire  to  noble  thoughts  and  actions,  but  too  deeply 
fraught  with  influence  upon  the  destiny  of  our  friends  to  be  neg 
lected  or  omitted  in  our  narrative. 

It  was  the  night  of  the  first  of  September.  The  ebb  of  the 
Rio  Frio  reaches  its  lowest  point  about  three  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing,  and  it  was  about  that  hour  that  a  close  observer  could  have 
seen  many  dusky  forms  marching  with  stealthy  steps  along  the  nar 
row  ledge  which,  as  the  reader  knows,  is  only  accessible  at  that 
time. 

It  is  difficult  to  recognize  the  character  of  these  nightly  travel 
ers,  but  the  silence  with  which  they  proceed  causes  us  to  look  with 
suspicion  upon  their  intentions.  Nor  is  it  easy  to  calculate  their 
number,  but  we  feel  sure  that  it  can  scarcely  fall  short  of  four 
hundred.  The  leader  seemed  to  be  familiar  with  the  character  of 
the  defile,  for,  in  spite  of  the  darkness  reigning  between  the  high 
cliffs,  he  proceeded  with  great  certainty,  and  only  stopped  when 
the  distant  falling  of  water  struck  his  ear.  Turning  to  the  nearest 
of  his  followers,  he  said  : 

"  Now  be  sure  to  obey  strictly  the  orders  I  have  given  you.  I 
shall  post  you  on  both  sides  of  the  falls,  and  on  my  signal  you  rush 
to  my  assistance  and  dispatch  the  red  devils,  if  they  offer  the  least 
resistance.  If  you  can  take  them  prisoners,  however,  without  too 
much  risk  to  yourselves,  do  so.  The  governor  sets  great  store  on 
them,  and  if  our  enterprise  should  miscarry,  which  I  don't  fear,  we 
shall  have  some  valuable  hostages  in  them.  Now,  forward,  and 
not  a  whisper,  mind  you,  for  these  fellows  have  ears  as  acute  as  the 
owl." 

On  they  went  until  they  reached  the  place  where  the  water 
tumbles  down  the  rock.  Here  the  leader  posted  his  men  by  mo 
tions,  words  being  too  likely  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  Indian 
guard.  There  were  about  twelve  on  each  side  and  fifty  a  little  far 
ther  back,  ready  to  rush  to  the  assistance  of  their  comrades  at  the 
first  signal.  When  these  preparations  were  completed  the  leader 
stepped  forward  to  attempt  a  stroke  which  he  knew  to  be  connected 
with  considerable  risk.  If  the  Indians  recognized  him  as  the  per 
son  whom  they  had  so  recently  ejected  from  the  valley,  with  the 
definite  order  to  prevent  his  return  at  all  hazards,  they  were  likely 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  233 

to  execute  this  order  without  regard  to  consequences,  and  the  pos 
sibility  that  he  might  receive  a  fatal  stab  or  blow  before  the  others 
could  come  to  the  rescue  was  by  no  means  small.  But  the  man, 
in  whom  the  reader  has  probably  recognized  the  bandit,  was  not 
the  person  to  shrink  from  trifles,  and  the  thought  of  the  possibility 
of  a  fatal  termination  of  the  coining  struggle  drew  merely  a. shrug 
of  the  shoulders  from  him.  He  had  taken  care  to  disguise  his 
identity  as  well  as  possible,  and  had  good  reason  for  believing  that 
the  intense  darkness  of  the  night  would  help  him  in  deceiving  the 
guard  sufficiently  to  enable  his  companions  to  come  to  his  assist 
ance.  The  principal  danger  lay  in  his  voice,  and  if  he  could 
manage  to  disguise  that,  he  had  grounds  for  hoping  that  his  scheme 
would  succeed.  He  wore  the  garb  of  a  sailor,  a  disguise  probably 
connected  with  his  scheme,  as  those  of  his  comrades  near  him,  were 
clad  in  the  same  attire.  Nerving  himself  to  the  task,  he  turned 
the  lever,  and  then  rapidly  ascended  the  cliff,  caring  little  for  the 
spray  which  drenched  him  completely.  By  this  manoeuvre  he 
brought  it  about  to  stand  very  near  the  gates  as  they  swung  back. 

"  Good  morning  mates,"  he  said,  imitating  the  manner  of  Jack 
Tar  in  an  admirable  manner;  "we  are  the  crew  of  the  Dolphin 
which  got  wrecked  on  the  coast  last  night.  We  came  as  near  drown 
ing  as  anybody  I  ever  saw.  Come,  mates,  hurry  up  ;  if  you  are 
as  hungry  and  tired  as  I  am,  you'll  hurry  your  shins,  I  bet." 

Those  below  did  not  wait  for  the  permission  of  the  guard,  but 
climbed  the  rocks  with  an  agility  which  would  have  done  credit  to 
real  tars,  and  soon  stood  at  the  side  of  the  leader  who  no  sooner 
saw  himself  thus  reinforced  than  he  uttered  a  shrill  shout  and  cast 
himself  upon  the  nearest  indian,  bearing  him  to  the  ground.  His 
comrades  followed  his  example,  and  so  complete  had  been  the  sur 
prise  of  the  guard  that  all  of  them  had  been  securely  bound  before 
they  comprehended  the  situation.  It  may  be  said  in  their  excuse 
that  they  had  guarded  this  entrance  twenty-five  years  without 
being  compelled  to  resort  to  force.  In  their  estimation  the  will  of 
Father  Herbert  was  so  absolute  that  the  very  idea  of  resistance  to 
him  refused  to  enter  their  brains.  Moreover,  the  steamer  Dolphin 
was  nearly  due,  and  their  natural  pity  for  the  shipwrecked  sailors 
had  for  once  lulled  their  senses  into  false  security,  and  made  possi 
ble  a  scheme  by  this  diabolical  appeal  to  their  sympathy.  They 


234  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

bore  their  capture  with  the  outward  stoicism  of  the  red  man  :  but 
inwardly  they  burned  with  shame  at  having  thus  been  outwitted, 
and  grieved  deeply  at  the  peril  into  which  their  negligence  had 
plunged  Herbert  and  with  him  the  entire  settlement. 

While  they  thus  brooded  over  their  defeat,  Arthur  was  busily 
engaged  in  perfecting  the  measures  which  were  to  put  him  in  com 
plete  possession  of  the  valley.  Leaving  a  strong  detachment  to 
guard  the  entrance  and  the  prisoners,  he  led  the  rest  by  the  light 
of  a  couple  of  lanterns  through  the  subterranean  passage,  and 
after  reaching  the  inside,  marched  them  to  Lakeview,  which  slept 
in  such  complete  security  that  its  inhabitants  would  not  trust  their 
senses,  when,  on  awakening,  they  found  the  village  in  possession  of 
a  hostile  troop.  A  double  line  of  pickets  shut  off  all  access  to  the 
rest  of  the  valley,  and  the  poor  inhabitants  of  Lakeview  could  do 
nothing  but  submit  with  a  bewildered  resignation  to  their  fate.  On 
the  whole  the  invaders  behaved  with  propriety  and  moderation. 
True,  they  made  the  villagers  supply  them  with  the  very  best 
which  pantry  and  cellar  could  furnish,  and  made  sad  havoc  with 
the  stores  of  wine  in  their  possession  ;  but  they  abstained  from  in 
sulting  the  people,  probably  warned  by  their  leader  to  postpone 
such  pastime  to  a  more  favorable  opportunity. 

The  telegraph  operator  of  Lakeview  was  that  morning  awakened 
in  rather  an  unceremonious  and  startling  manner.  A  rough  hand 
shook  him,  and  when  he  drowsily  opened  his  eyes  and  inquired  in  a 
vexed  manner  what  was  the  matter,  his  visitor  pointed  a  revolver 
at  him  and  informed  him  that  he  was  wanted  at  the  station  and  had 
better  hurry,  unless  he  wanted  an  ounce  of  lead  in  his  brains. 
This,  of  course,  was  not  the  case  ;  so  the  operator  dressed  himself 
in  a  confused  manner  and  followed  his  rough  captor  to  the  station 
where  he  was  ordered  to  telegraph  as  follows  : 

"  LAKEVIEW,  September  2d, 

Herbert  Grau : — The  boiler  of  the  locomotive  of  the  morning 
passenger  train  bursted  while  being  fired,  killing  and  wounding  a 
number  of  persons.  Please  come  down  at  your  earliest  conven 
ience." 

"  Now,  what  is  your  name  ?"  the  fellow  with  the  revolver  in 
quired. 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  235 

"  My  name  is  Karl  Stahl  ;  but  there  is  no  truth  in  this,  and  if 
I  telegraph  as  you  say,  I  shall  lose  my  situation." 

"  And  if  you  don't  you'll  lose  your  life.  So,  please  choose,  but 
be  quick,  for  I  have  no  time  to  waste." 

"  But. who  are  you,  sir,  to  carry  on  here  in  this  way  ?  " 

"  I  might  reply,  that  is  none  of  your  business,  and  not  tell  a 
lie  ;  but  I  will  condescend  to  tell  you  that  I  am  in  command  of 
Government  troops  which  have  been  sent  here  to  lift  the  good-for- 
nothing  gang  carrying  on  here,  and  if  you  love  your  precious  car 
cass  you  will  obey  promptly  and  cheerfully." 

The  operator  obeyed,  but  his  manner  was  so  dubious  that  his 
customer  felt  induced  to  say  : 

"No  monkey  shines,  young  man.  Remember,  you  will  remain 
our  prisoner  while  we  wait  the  result  of  our  telegram,  and  if  it 
turns  out  to  differ  an  iota  from  my  dictation,  I  will  surely  shoot  you 
like  a  dog." 

This  was  an  ugly  threat,  and  the  speaker  looked  so  much  like 
executing  it  without  compunction  that  the  operator  did  not  dare  to 
disobey  him  and  telegraphed  as  directed,  signing  the  telegram  with 
his  name. 

It  was  about  five  o'clock  Avhen  the  dispatch  was  sent.  Under 
the  most  favorable  circumstances  a  train  from  Montezuma  could 
not  reach  Lakeview  much  before  seven,  and  the  bandit  had  there 
fore  sufficient  time  to  make  preparations  for  the  reception  of  the 
expected  visitors.  In  the  most  favorable  case  Herbert  would  come 
alone  on  a  locomotive,  with  perhaps  a  single  car  attached.  In  such 
a  case  he  could  be  easily  captured.  Perhaps,  however,  he  might 
wait  for  the  morning  train  which  would  not  reach  Lakeview  before 
nine.  In  this  case  the  bandit  would  have  to  cope  with  the  whole 
train ;  but  as  its  crew  and  passengers  could  not  harbor  the  slightest 
suspicion,  they  would  be  unarmed  and  offer  little  or  no  resistance. 
Arthur  felt  pretty  sure  that  his  plan  would  succeed,  and  chuckled 
in  anticipation  of  the  moment  which  would  deliver  his  relative  as 
a  prisoner  into  his  hands.  All  that  was  necessary  was  to  keep  the 
strictest  watch  on  the  movements  of  the  villagers,  to  prevent  them 
from  sending  any  warning  to  the  threatened  party.  A  complete 
line  of  pickets  had  been  drawn  north  of  the  village,  and  the  inhabi 
tants  had  been  warned  not  to  pass  it,  on  pain  of  instant  death. 


236  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

At  half  past  five  an  answer  to  the  dispatch  was  received.  It 
read  : 

"  I  shall  be  there  at  quarter  to  seven. 

HERBERT  GRAU." 

A  maglignant  smile  lit  up  the  features  of  the  bandit.  "  I  have 
you  now,"  he  said  with  a  fiendish  chuckle,  "and  will  show  you 
what  it  means  to  thwart  my  purposes.  I  shall  take  your  cranky 
notions  out  of  you,  depend  upon  it." 

Minute  followed  upon  minute,  and  when  the  clock  of  the  station 
pointed  to  a  quarter  of  seven,  a  deathlike  silence  reigned  over 
Lakeview.  The  freebooters  watched  with  eager  expectancy  for 
their  prey,  while  the  villagers  trembled  for  the  safety  of  the  man 
who  had  been  a  father  to  them,  and  whose  institutions  would  prob 
ably  fall  with  him.  Now  the  dull  rumbling  of  a  locomotive  be 
came  audible  in  the  distance,  and,  a  few  minutes  later,  it  becomes 
visible.  Will  this  villainy  really  become  consummated?  On  the 
locomotive  comes.  It  is  now  no  further  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
from  the  line  of  pickets,  and  nothing  seems  more  certain  than  the 
capture  of  Herbert,  when  lo,  a  dusky  form  rises  on  the  track  as  if 
by  magic,  and,  raising  a  hand  in  warning,  remains  standing  on  the 
track,  unmindful  of  the  fact  that  the  locomotive  is  approaching  at 
a  great  speed,  and  can  hardly  stop  before  reaching  the  immovable 
figure.  Fortunately  Herbert  is  on  the  watch,  and  he  has  recog 
nized  one  of  his  Indians  in  the  person  making  the  signal, 
and,  knowing  that  they  never  act  without  good  reasons,  he 
orders  the  lever  to  .be  reversed  and  then  strains  his  eyes  to  see 
whether  he  can  discover  the  reason  for  this  warning.  The  speed  of 
the  locomotive  slackens,  but  it  is  not  more  than  a  few  feet  from  the 
Indian  when  it  stops.  Now  the  fugitive  moves.  Hprioging  rapidly 
into  the  cab,  he  cries  : 

"  Back,  if  you  love  your  life  !  " 

He  need  not  explain  the  reason  for  his  warning,  for  the  pro 
found  silence  in  the  village  now  gives  place  to  a  scene  of  the  wild 
est  nproor.  The  bandit  sees  that  his  scheme  has  failed,  and  that 
his  prey  will  escape  him  unless  he  can  secure  it  at  the  last  moment 
in  the  confusion  which  the  warning  of  the  Indian  must  necessarily 
create  on  board  the  locomotive.  With  a  shout  he  springs  from  his 
cover  and  runs  with  the  agility  of  a  deer  along  the  track,  followed 


The  Treasure  of  Montezu ma.  237 

by  a  large  number  of  his  comrades.  All  are  armed  with  revolvers, 
and  if  the  party  in  the  cab  tarry  much  longer  they  will  surely  be 
within  reach  of  the  enemy's  bullets.  Herbert  does  not  understand 
it,  but  he  sees  that  there  is  something  wrong  and  that  it  will  not  do 
to  await  further  explanations  at  this  time.  So  he  orders  the  engi 
neer  to  turn  on  steam  and  run  back  to  a  safe  distance. 

It  is  indeed  time.  The  foremost  runners  were  not  more  than 
fifty  yards  away,  and  when  they  saw  the  locomotive  beginng  its 
backward  course,  they  commenced  firing  from  a  dozen  revolvers  at 
the  same  time.  The  bullets  came  thick  and  fast,  and  more  than  one 
struck  the  cab  or  whistled  by  in  close  proximity  to  their  heads.  It 
was  fortunate  for  them  that  the  rapid  motion  of  the  pursuers  pre 
vented  them  from  taking  accurate  aim,  and  when  they  stopped  and 
fired  with  great  effect,  the  locomotive  had  considerably  increased 
its  speed,  and  its  crew  had  taken  shelter  behind  the  walls  of  the 
cab.  After  a  few  minutes  Arthur  perceived  the  uselessness  of 
further  pursuit,  and  ordered  his  men  to  fall  back  to  the  village. 
The  coup  on  which  he  had  based  such  great  hopes  had  signally 
failed.  He  knew  Herbert  too  well  to  imagine  that  he  would  be  al 
lowed  much  time  for  deliberation,  and  that  he  would  have  to  pre 
pare  rapidly  for  defense  in  case  he  meditated  resistance  to  the  ef 
forts  for  dislodging  him,  which  the  next  days,  if  not  hours,  were 
sure  to  bring.  If  he  had  consulted  his  common  sense  he  would 
have  comprehended  that  he  could  accomplish  little  or  nothing  with 
his  handful  of  men  against  such  a  powerful  colony  as  Friedensthal. 
The  capture  of  Herbert  might  perhaps  have  changed  the  aspect  of 
affairs,  and  given  him  a  chance  for  extorting  from  the  colonists  a 
heavy  ransom,  if  not  more  ;  but  a  little  reflection  would  have 
shown  him  that,  after  the  failure  of  this  attempt,  an  immediate  re 
treat  would  be  his  best  policy.  Arthur  had  been  drinking  hard  the 
last  few  days,  and  it  is  probable  that  the  fumes  of  rum  prevented 
him  from  seeing  the  situation  in  its  true  light.  Perhaps  the  fear  of 
arousing  the  indignation  of  his  followers  by  a  step  so  contrary  to 
the  expectations  he  had  aroused  in  them,  induced  him  to  disregard 
the  dictates  of  prudence  ;  at  all  events  he  remained  for  the  present  in 
Lakeview  and  took  measures  to  make  his  position  as  strong  as  pos 
sible. 

We  leave  him  thus  engaged  and  join  the  party  on  the  engine 


238  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

which,  by  this  time,  had  materially  increased  their  distance  from 
the  invading  force.  Then,  for  the  first  time,  Herbert  turned  to  the 
Indian,  in  whom  we  recogni/e  our  friend  Huatle,  and  said  : 

"  Well,  Huattle,  what  does  this  all  mean?  How  am  I  to  ac 
count  for  the  appearance  of  this  hostile  force  in  the  valley?  What 
has  become  of  thy  friends  and  comrades  ?  " 

"They  are  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  Arthur." 

"  So  it  is  my  graceless  nephew  who  has  played  me  this  trick  ? 
I  recognized  him  in  spite  of  his  disguise.  Do  you  know  how  this 
thing  happened  ?  " 

On  this  Huatle  told  him  that  Philip,  whom  he  had  been  in 
structed  to  watch,  had  of  late  made  so  many  trips  to  Lakeview  and 
taken  such  a  deep  interest  in  the  defenses  of  the  entrance  to  the 
valley  that  he  had  deemed  it  prudent  to  make  that  neighborhood 
his  abode  for  awhile. 

He  had  passed  the  last  night  in  the  village,  and  <m  his  waking 
had  found  it  in  possession  of  the  enemy.  The  line  of  pickets  had 
cut  off  all  chances  for  an  open  departure,  and  he  had  therefore 
been  compelled  to  resort  to  stratagem.  This  had  taken  much  time, 
and  he  had  been  obliged  to  creep  into  the  lake  and  wa<le  with  his 
body  under  water  excepting  his  head  to  the  place  where  he  had  in 
tercepted  the  locomotive.  He  had  evaded  the  watchfulness  of  the 
guards  by  tying  a  bundle  of  reeds  to  his  head  and  proceeded  so 
slowly  that  the  tuft  appeared  to  be  stationary.  After  passing  the 
line  he  had  managed  to  proceed  a  little  faster,  but,  as  the  reader 
knows,  none  too  quick  to  save  Herbert  from  capture. 

"Our  guards  must  have  been  asleep,"  the  engineer  said  indig 
nantly. 

"  Don't  be  too  quick  to  condemn  my  friend,"  Herbert  warned 
him.  "  Do  you  know  in  which  way  they  gained  admittance  ?" 

"  Huatle  thinks  from  what  he  heard  that  they  pretended  to  be 
sailors  from  the  Dolphin  which,  they  represented,  was  wrecked 
on  the  coast." 

"  A  scheme  worthy  the  brain  of  this  villain.  The  fact  is,  our 
long  freedom  from  annoyance  had  made  the  guard,  and,  indeed,  all 
of  us  feel  so  secure  that  we  did  not  believe  such  a  trick  possible. 
But  here  is  Enterprise  ;  stop  the  locomotive." 

"  It  may  be  easily  imagined  how  the  invasion  and  the  narrow 


The  Treasure  of  Montezumd.  239 

escape  of  Herbert  affected  the  people  of  the  town.  At  first  they 
were  as  bewildered  as  those  of  Lakeview  ;  but  the  presence  of  Her 
bert  soon  brought  order  out  of  chaos.  It  was  then  that  his  institu 
tions  proved  their  efficacy  and  stability.  All  the  male  citizens  be 
tween  twenty-one  and  thirty-five  had  been  formed  into  military 
companies,  numbering  in  all  six  thousand  strong  and  well -drilled 
men.  Herbert  had  never  taken  such  pleasure  and  interest  in  the 
military  pastime  in  which  so  many  persons  indulge  ;  but  he  knew  too 
well  the  many  foes  with  which  he  had  to  contend  to  neglect  the  or 
ganization  of  a  force  capable  of  repelling  an  armed  invasion,  if 
such  should  be  attempted,  and  this  force  now  came  very  opportune. 
Telegrams  were  at  once  dispatched  to  all  the  settlements  of  the  val 
ley,  informing  the  people  of  the  astounding  news  and  ordering  the 
immediate  mustering  and  dispatch  of  the  militia.  Arthur  was  also 
summoned  to  come  to  Enterprise,  and  the  mayor  of  Montezuma 
was  instructed  to  forward  without  delay  the  battery  stored  in  the 
armory  of  the  city. 

When  che  necessary  measures  had  been  taken  Herbert  applied 
himself  to  the  gathering  of  the  militia  available  in  the  neighbor 
hood.  Mounted  messengers  were  sent  to  the  various  farmers  with 
orders  to  report  at  Enterprise,  and  before  the  expiration  of  an 
hour  the  place  looked  more  like  a  military  camp  than  a  place  de 
voted  to  industry.  At  ten  o'clock  the  morning  train,  which  had 
been  retarded  a  full  hour,  brought  Arthur  and  Inez,  with  many 
prominent  persons  and  such  volunteers  as  could  get  ready  on  so 
short  a  notice.  The  reunion  of  the  family  of  the  Villa  Avas  neces 
sarily  an  affecting  one.  Inez  flew  into  her  father's  arms  greatly  ex 
cited  over  the  imminent  peril  to  which  he  had  been  exposed. 

Arthur  was  also  considerably  agitated,  but  with  him  indignation 
greatly  prevailed,  and  he  vowed  to  himself  that  he  would  not  let 
this  dangerous  fellow  off  quite  so  easy,  if  he  happened  to  fall  into 
his  hands  a  second  time.  He  had  not  much  time  to  think,  how 
ever,  for  his  advice  was  asked  in  the  council  discussing  the  best 
mode  of  getting  rid  of  the  freebooters,  for  as  such  everybody  con 
sidered  the  invaders.  No  definite  plan  was  then  adopted,  for  it  was 
not  before  dusk  that  all  the  troops  of  the  valley  and  the  battery 
had  arrived.  The  town  was  not  able  to  accommodate  so  many  men  ; 
but  there  were  tents  in  sufficient  numbers  to  lodge  them.  Arthur 


240  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

had  served  in  Germany  as  a  volunteer,  and  rendered  valuable 
assistance  in  quartering  and  provisioning  the  men.  When  the 
council  met  once  more  several  plans  were  submitted,  but  none  of 
them  entirely  met  with  Herbert's  approval.  One  of  them  suggested 
the  storming  of  Lakeview,  a  proceeding  which  would  probably 
have  answered  the  purpose,  but  was  rejected  by  Herbert  as  involv 
ing  too  great  a  loss  of  life,  and  exposed  the  people  of  Lakeview  to 
total  destruction.  The  chief  difficulty  of  an  attack  lay  in  the  cir 
cumstance  that  the  enemy  could  retreat  into  the  caves  of  the  en 
trance  and  from  there  keep  up  a  murderous  fusilade  upon  the  peo 
ple  of  the  valley.  True,  the  battery  might  be  used  against  them  in 
such  a  case  ;  but  there  were  so  many  nooks  and  corners  in  the 
caves  that  the  enemy  would  find  no  great  difficulty  in  securing 
protection. 

After  receiving  a  number  of  suggestions,  Herbert  asker  Arthur 
whether  he  had  reflected  on  the  subject  since  morning. 

"Yes,  sir,''  was  the  reply;  "I  think  I  have  a  plan  whose  ex 
ecution  will  end  the  war  at  once,  as  it  meditates  the  capture  of  the 
hostile  army." 

'•Let  us  hear  this  plan,  if  you  please." 

"It  is  exceedingly  simple.  If  1  had  my  way,  I  would  march  a 
body  of  troops,  say  four  or  five  hundred,  along  the  track  of  the 
freight  railroad,  lower  them  by  means  of  the  crane  to  the  banks  of 
the  river,  surprise  the  guard  at  the  entrance,  occupy  the  passage 
and  thus  cut  off  the  only  avenue  of  retreat." 

"That  sounds  very  plausible,"  one  of  the  members  of  the 
council  remarked;  "But  what  would  you  do  in  case  they  had 
closed  the  gates  ?  " 

"It  is  not  very  likely  they  have,  as  the  river  is  their  base  of 
supplies;  but  even  if  they  had  shut  themselves  up  in  that  way,  I 
would  place  a  body  of  troops  in  the  canon  of  the  river,  to  cut  off 
their  retreat  which  starvation  would  soon  cause  them  to  attempt." 

"  But  such  a  measure  might  provoke  a  bloody  fight,  which  Mr. 
Grau  wishes  to  avoid." 

"Only  with  the  difference  that  they  would  be  the  attacking 
party  and  assume  the  responsibility.  Such  a  conflict  they  can, 
however,  prokoke  at  any  time,  if  they  desire,  even  if  my  plan  is 
not  adopted." 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  241 

There  was  a  murmer  of  applause,  and  several  members  spoke 
warmly  in  support.  Hearing  this,  Herbert  said  : 

"The  plan  of  my  son  seems  to  have  the  approval  of  the  coun 
cil  and  I  declare  it  therefore  adopted.  It  strikes  me  that  the  con- 
ceiver  would  also  be  the  best  executor  of  the  plan,  and  I  therefore 
and  herewith  authorize  and  empower  you,  Arthur  Gran,  to  take, 
without  delay,  the  necessary  steps  to  carry  it  into  effect.  Select 
your  own  men  and  make  such  requisitions  on  the  quartermaster  as 
are  necessary  for  the  comfort  of  your  men." 

"Very  well,  Sir.  With  your  permission  I  will  retire  to  exe 
cute  your  orders." 

With  these  words  he  left  the  room  and  proceeded  to  the  camp,  to 
make  the  selection  of  his  men.  When  he  called  for  vounteers  the 
entire  body  stepped  forward,  thus  compelling  Arthur,  after  all,  to 
make  his  own  selection.  There  was  one  body  consisting  entirely 
of  turners  or  gymnasts,  an-1  lie  selecte  I  them  because  their  exer 
cise  had  secured  for  them  that  limbemess  of  body  which  this  ex 
pedition  might  call  into  requisition.  After  seeing  that  they  were 
supplied  with  am  unit  ion  and  sufficient  rations,  he  gave  the  order  to 
march,  enjoining  upon  the  men  the  necessity  of  the  utmost  caution 
and  silence.  They  followed  the  track  of  the  railway  which  our 
party  had  used  for  the  visit  to  Montezurna's  cave.  The  road  af 
forded  no  difficulties.  Even  the  numerous  bridges  were  easily 
passed  as  there  were  planks  for  foot  passengers.  The  terminus  of 
the  road  was  reached  without  discovery  and,  with  the  help  of  the 
crane,  the  men  were  speedily  and  safely  transferred  to  the  level  of 
the  river.  It  was  about  twelve  o'clock  when  the  last  squad  had 
been  lowered,  and  the  ebb  had  receded  not  more  than  half  way, 
but  the  men  composing  the  expedition  were  young  and  strong,  and 
did  not  at  all  mind  a  wetting.  So  they  proceeded  without  delay  up 
the  river  and  reached  the  waterfall  an  hour  and  a  half  later.  As 
Arthur  had  expected,  the  gates  stood  wide  open,  and,  though  a 
guard  had  been  left  at  the  entrance,  the  utmost  carlessness  seemed 
to  prevail.  There  Avas  a  fire  burning  in  the  vault,  and  by  its  light 
Arthur  could  see  what  was  going  on  within.  The  men  were 
stretched  on  the  ground,  drinking  freely  and  passing  the  time  with 
playing  cards.  Others  were  sleeping  ;  indeed,  the  great  majority 
seemed  to  be  indulging  in  this  pleasant  and  inexpensive  pastime. 

16 


242  The.  Treasure  of  Monteznma. 

Under  the  circumstances  the  reader  \vill  not  wonder  when  we  tell 
him  that  Arthur's  surprise -of  the  guard  was  even  more  complete 
than  that  of  the  Indians  had  been.  Every  member  of  the  detach 
ment,  consisting  of  thirty  men,  was  captured,  without  the  neces 
sity  of  firing  a  gun.  A  little  farther  back  the  Indians  were  found, 
securely  bound,  but  otherwise  unharmed.  Arthur  was  very  glad 
at  this  discovery,  for  he  was  not  very  intimately  acquainted  with 
the  caverns,  and  therefore  in  need  of  guides.  The  red  men  were 
still  very  crest-fallen,  but  Arthur  cheered  them  by  assuring  them 
that  father  Herbert  did  not  blame  them  for  succumbing  to  a  sur 
prise  so  entirely  unlocked  for.  They  now  resumed  their  former 
duties  and  led  the  troops  with  such  dispatch  and  secrecy  through 
the  passage  that  they  reached  the  inner  end  without  discovery. 
Here,  however,  Arthur  found  another  guard.  Nor  were  the  men 
composing  it  quite  so  unmindful  of  their  duty  as  their  bi*ethren 
farther  out.  Some  of  them  sprang  up  when  a  charge  was  made 
upon  them,  and,  although  they  had  no  time  to  discharge  their  guns 
with  effect,  a  number  of  them  made  their  escape,  thus  preventing 
Arthur's  bold  plan  of  following  up  his  advantage  by  making  an 
attack  on  the  main  body  at  Lake  view  which,  trusting  to  the  vigi 
lance  of  the  guards,  would  be  poorly  prepared  to  resist  a  vigorous 
onset.  The  enemy  would  be  alarmed  and  consequently  prepared, 
and  Arthur  had  read  too  much  about  such  night  attacks  to  stake 
his  success  on  the  doubtful  issue  of  such  an  encounter.  He  now 
held  the  only  avenue  by  which  the  invaders  could  retreat  and  that 
was  enough  for  the  present.  If  they  saw  that  they  were  in  a  trap 
they  might  tight  desperately,  but  the  chances  were  in  favor  of  an 
unconditional  surrender;  a  ternination  of  their  venture  so  in 
glorious  that  a  second  attempt  would  probably  never  be  made. 
Arthur  confined  himself  to  the  strenghening  of  his  position.  He 
had  the  gates  securely  closed  and  the  water  returned  to  its  channel. 
He  had  left  a  strong  detatchment  at  the  terminus  of  the  freight 
railway  and,  after  dispatching  two  of  the  indians  wi-th  the  news  of 
his  success  to  Herbert,  lie  rested  on  his  arms,  feeling  that  things 
looked  a  great  deal  more  hopeful  than  twelve  hours  before. 

The  night  passed  without  much  disturbance.  At  one  time  a 
body  of  troops  was  heard  approaching,  but  a  do/en  shots  fired  from 
the  passage  telling  them  that  the  way  was  barred  and  a  fight  made 


The  Treasure  of  Monteznma.  243 

almost  hopeless  by  the  darkness  and  the  strong  position  of  the  foe, 
they  prudently  retreated  to  the  village. 

At  last  dawn  set  in,  and  when  the  bandit  surveyed  his  position 
he  saw  that  his  dogged  indifference  had  put  him  into  a  plight  truly 
desperate.  The  pass  from  the  valley  was  occupied  by  a  body  of 
troops  which  he  could  not  see,  but  had  good  reasons  to  believe 
formidable.  From  the  north-east  a  large  body  of  men  was  fast 
approaching,  threatening  to  crush  his  handful  by  the  very  weight 
of  numbers.  Half  a  mile  from  the  village  it  halted,  and  the  free 
booters  could  see  the  guns  were  unlimbered  and  placed  in  position. 
If  they  made  an  attempt  to  force  the  pass,  this  army  would  follow 
011  their  heels  and  they  would  be  caught  between  two  fires.  The 
bandit  himself  was  desperate  enough  to  rush  into  the  foe  and  die 
fighting ;  but  he  knew  his  men  too  well  to  imagine  that  they  could 
be  persuaded  to  imitate  the  example  of  the  Spartans  at  Ther- 
mopyke.  In  fact,  the  glances  which  they  cast  at  him  were  by  no 

means  the  friendliest,  and  while  he  would  not  have  hesitated  to 
plunge  into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy  with  the  certainty  of  death  be 
fore  him,  he  wras  not  at  all  pleased  with  the  prospect  of  falling  un 
der  the  stillettos  of  his  comrades.  At  seven  o'clock  a  flag  of  truce 
was  seen  to  approach  from  the  army.  The  bandit  prepared  to  meet 
it ;  but  he  was  not  allowed  to  go  alone. 

"Stop  a  moment,  Captain,"  a  burly  felknr  accosted  him;  "I 
for  one,  wish  to  know  what  you  chaps  have  to  say.  You  have  got 
us  into  a  pretty  pickle  here,  and  if  there  is  a  way  out  of  it  this 
child  wants  to  know." 

"  That's  right,  Ifenriquez,"  another  chimed  in.  "  You  go  along 
and  see  that  we  get  fair  play." 

The  bandit  colored,  and  a  sinister  glance  shot  from  his  eyes  ; 
but  his  men  were  not  in  a  mood  to  be  bullied  or  trifled  with  ;  so  he 
started  without  saying  a  word,  the  others  following  at  his  heels. 
They  met  the  envoy  awaiting  them  midway  between  the  two  lines. 

"  Are  you  empowered  to  treat  with  me  ?  "  he  inquired. 

"  Yes,  let  us  hear  what  you  have  to  say." 

"  Very  well.  My  general  offers  you  a  safe  retreat  on  condition 
that  you  deliver  up  your  arms  and  your  leader." 

' '  And  if  we  refuse  ?  " 

"  He  will  open  fire  on  you  in  fifteen  minutes." 


244  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"But  the  people  of  Lakeview  will  be  destroyed  in  such  a 
case." 

"  He  will  not  give  you  much  time  to  do  them  harm.  Decide,  for 
I  have  been  ordered  to  give  you  just  five  minutes  for  reflection." 

Henriquez  looked  shyly  at  his  mate.  It  went  even  against  the 
grit  of  this  hardened  man  to  purchase  his  own  safety  at  the  expense 
of  his  leader.  The  bandit  on  the  other  hand,  soon  formed  his  reso 
lution.  AVe  have,  on  various  occasions,  noticed  feeble  signs  of  a 
better  nature  in  this  man  who,  under  other  circumstances,  might 
perhaps  have  excelled  by  his  heroic  qualities.  On  this  occasion, 
one  of  these  gleames  of  nobility  alluded  to  broke  forth." 

"  Very  well,"  he  replied  ;  "  I  accept  your  terms,  as  far  as  I  am 
concerned.  I  have  induced  these  men  to  invade  the  valley,  and  it 
is  only  just  that  I  should  bear  the  consequences.  Henriquez,  you 
run  back  and  communicate  the  conditions  to  our  men.  Tell  them 
that  I  advise  them  to  accept  the  terms  proposed,  for  if  they  don't 
they  will  finally  have  to  leave  their  bodies  as  well  as  their  arms." 

"  Ain't  you  coming  along  ? " 

"No,  I  shall  stay  here  to  await  their  decision." 

"All  right,"  the  man  said,  and  walked  away.  The  news  he 
brought  evidently  created  a  commotion,  for  there  was  much  run 
ning  to  and  fro  ;  but  after  the  expiration  of  ten  or  fifteen  minutes, 
this  commotion  subsided,  and  piling  of  weapons  of  every  descrip 
tion  in  front  of  the  village  indicated  plainly  that  they  had  resolved 
to  accept  the  terms  offered  to  them.  The  return  of  Henrique/  con 
firmed  this  opinion.  He  said  that  it  was  very  hard  for  them  to 
give  up  the  weapons  on  which  their  support  depended  ;  but  as  they 
had  no  other  way  of  getting  out  of  the  scrape  into  which  the  cap 
tain's  rashness  had  brought  them,  they  had  to  comply.  The  envoy 
then  returned  to  inform  his  superiors  of  the  successful  termination 
of  his  mission.  It  is  unnecessary  to  describe  the  details  of  the 
measures  taken  for  the  enforcement  of  the  treaty.  The  crestfallen 
freebooters  had  to  march  in  single  file  between  the  troops  of  Arthur, 
drawn  up  for  that  purpose.  The  bandit,  on  the  other  hand,  was 
escorted  by  a  strong  guard  to  Enterprise  and  securely  imprisoned 
to  await  the  trial  which  was  to  decide  his  fate.  The  afternoon  was 
spent,  when  his  prison  door  opened  and  Herbert  entered  the  room, 
accompanied  by  Arthur.  The  prisoner  eyed  them  coldly,  and  if 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  245 

they  had  expected  to  find  him  humble  and  ready  to  ask  forgiveness 
for  his  numerous  offenses,  they  were  mistaken. 

"  Well,  Arthur,"  Herbert  broke  the  silence  ;  "You  see  into  what 
a  dilemma  your  misdeeds  have  brought  you  ?  " 

"I  have  been  unlucky,  that  is  all.  You  are  the  victor — go 
ahead  and  do  your  worst.  I  am  prepared  to  meet  my  fate." 

There  is  something  in  the  manifestation  of  an  undaunted  spirit 
which  secures  our  respect,  even  when  it  is  exhibited  in  a  cause  not 
at  all  calculated  to  excite  our  admiration. 

"Stubborn  as  ever,"  Herbert  said  sadly.  "Don't  you  see 
young  man  that  I  bear  you  no  grudge  for  the  harm  you  have  done 
or  tried  to  do  me  ?  If  I  saw  only  a  disposition  to  mend  your  ways, 
I  would  not  only  do  you  no  harm,  but  even  reach  you  a  helping 
hand,  and  assist  you  in  becoming  a  useful  member  of  society." 

The  bandit  did  not  trust  his  ears.  He  had  expected  nothing 
less  than  to  be  tried  by  a  courtmartial,  and  then  shot.  He  was 
fair-minded  enough  to  see  that  he  deserved  nothing  better,  and 
would  undoubtedly  have  received  a  similar  verdict  under  similar 
circumstances.  And  now  this  man  spoke  sadly,  instead  of  speak 
ing  harshly,  offering  not  only  forgiveness  for  offenses  both  numer 
ous  and  aggravating,  but  even  assistance,  in  case  the  culprit  would 
promise  to  reform.  For  the  first  time  the  bandit  got  a  glimpse  of 
the  greatness  of  this  man.  For  the  first  time  something  like  shame 
entered  his  bosom.  He  had  to  look  down  to  avoid  the  clear, 
benevolent  glance  of  his  relative. 

"  It  is  too  late,"  he  murmured  at  last ;  "if  you  knew  —  — ." 

"1  do  not  want  to  know,  and  it  is  not  too  late,"  Herbert  per 
sisted,  seeing  that  his  words  had  at  last  begun  to  make  an  impres 
sion  on  this  hardened  heart.  "Come  now,  can't  you  act  like  a 
man,  and  form  the  resolution  to  lead  henceforth  a  different  life 
and  atone,  by  serving  your  brethren,  for  the  wrong  you  have  done 
them/' 

A  heavy  sigh  wrung  itself  from  the  bandit's  bosom. 

"If  I  thought  — ,"  he  began  gloomily. 

"  I  know,  that  is  better.  Only  form  the  resolution,  and  we  all 
will  help  you  with  the  best  of  our  ability.  Come,  Arthur,  give  me 
your  hand,  turn  a  new  leaf,  and  we  shall  bless  the  day  that  brought 
about  this  change." 


246  The  Treasure  of  Montezinna. 

The  bandit  v;as  conquered  ;  another  heavy  sigh  escaped  his 
breast  and,  with  tears  starting  from  his  eyes,  he  .seized  and  wrung 
his  uncle's  hand  and  said  : 

"I  have  not  deserved  such  mercy  from  you,  uncle  Herbert, 
but,  take  my  word  for  it,  you  will  never  regret  such  kindness  ;  and 
if,  henceforth,  any  one  dares  to  harm  you,  he  will  have  to  harm 
me  first.  The  fact  is  I  am  very  poor  at  making  speeches  ;  but  give 
me  a  chance  of  showing  my  appreciation  of  your  generosity  by  ac 
tions  and  you  will  find  me  true  to  my  pledge." 

"I  trust  F  will  Arthur;  but  if  you  are  really  in  earnest  with 
your  resolutions  of  reform,  you  will  certainly  make  reparation  to 
a  person  you  have  wronged  more  grievously  than  me." 

Arthur  looked  at  him  inquiringly  ;  but  instead  of  replying, 
Herbert  left  the  room.  After  a  minute  or  two  he  reappeared,  lead 
ing  Clara  by  the  hand.  The  poor  girl  seemed  to  have  suffered 
keenly  during  the  last  few  days,  for  her  cheeks  were  hollow,  and  the 
bloom  that  had  covered  them  in  former  and  happier  days  had  en 
tirely  disappeared.  She  appeared  very  nervous  and  had  no  sooner 
noticed  Arthur  than  she  covered  her  face  with  her  hands  and 
commenced  to  weep  bitterly.  This  conduct  was  so  different  from 
her  usual  light  and  gay  behaviour  that  it  touched  all  present,  and 
her  lover  most  of  all. 

"  I  understand  you  now,  uncle,"  he  said,  and  thank  you  sincerely 
for  giving  me  this  opportunity  of  showing  the  earnestness  of  my 
resolutions.  Clara,  if  you  can  still  trust  such  a  good-for-nothing 
fellow,  I  shall  redeem  my  promise  and  lead  you  as  my  wedded  wife 
into  the  home  which  this  good  uncle  of  mine  will  be  kind  enough 
to  provide  for  us." 

AVith  a  shout  of  joy  the  girl  flew  into  his  arms  and  said,  smil 
ing  through  tears  :  "  I  knew  my  Arturo  would  not  desert  me." 

"Well,  he  came  mighty  near  it,  though,"  he  said,  returning 
her  caresses,  and  laughing  in  an  embarrassed  manner  ;  "the  fact 
is,  Clara,  I  cannot  understand  how  you  ever  came  to  throw  away 
your  affections  upon  such  a  scallawag.  I  do  not  deserve  such  good 
ness  ;  but  if  you  will  forgive  me  and  forget  the  past,  I  shall  try  to 
make  you  as  happy  as  you  deserve." 

A  radiant  srnile  was  all  the  answer  she  gave  him. 

"  Here  is  another,"  he  resumed,  "  whose  forgiveness  I  have  to 


The  Treasure  of  Montetiuma.  247 

ask.  Cousin  Arthur,  can  you  forget  the  brutal  assault  I  made  upon 
you  and  grasp  a  hand  stained  by  so  many  misdeeds  ?  " 

"I  can  and  will,"  replied  our  young  friend,  taking  the  prof 
fered  hand.  "I  trust  the  time  will  come  when  I  shall  be  proud  to 
call  you  my  friend." 

"  I  shall  try  my  best  to  hasten  it  ;  but  where  is  Inez  ?  I  shall 
not  feel  easy  before  she  too  has  vouchsafed  me  her  forgiveness." 

Inez  had  entered  some  time  before,  but  remained  hidden  be 
hind  her  father  to  conceal  the  deep  emotion  which  the  touching 
scene  had  stirred  up  in  her.  Now,  however,  she  came  forward. 
Offering  her  hand  to  the  man  who  had  at  one  time  so  deeply  in 
sulted  her,  she  said  : 

"  Here  is  my  hand,  Cousin  Arthur,  in  token  that  I  have  for 
given  and  forgotten,  and  rejoice  heartily  at  the  turn  which  affairs 
have  taken  to-day.  At  the  same  time  I  offer  my  sincerest  congratu 
lations  to  your  union  with  this  friend  of  mine.  I  know  her  well 
and  assure  you  that  you  have  drawn  a  prize  in  securing  her  ?  " 

"  And  I  return  your  good  wishes  for  your  prospective  union 
with  Cousin  Arthur.  By  the  by,  cousin,  here  is  a  document  which 
may  come  handy  one  of  these  days." 

"What  is  it,  Arthur  ?" 

"  Oh,  never  mind.  Just  put  it  in  your  pocket  and  examine  it 
at  your  leisure." 

At  this  moment  a  young  man  entered  the  room  and  informed 
Herbert  that  the  train  for  the  North  was  ready,  awaiting  only  the 
appearance  of  the  party  to  start. 

"Then  be  up  and  off,  children,"  Herbert  said.  "I  have 
never  let  others  wait  on  me  if  I  could  help  it,  and  shall  not  be  guilty 
of  this  offense  to-night." 

With  this  he  arose  and  led  the  way  to  the  cars  which  were 
packed  to  the  utmost  on  account  of  the  unusual  concourse  of  peo 
ple  at  Enterprise  that  day.  Seats  had  been  reserved  for  the  party, 
but  Herbert  refused  to  enjoy  privileges  which  were  not  accorded 
to  all,  and  insisted  upon  others  sharing  the  seats  allowed  to  his 
party  to  such  a  degree  that  they  strikingly  resembled  packed  her 
rings  in  a  box.  What  he  thus  lost  in  comfort,  however,  he  gained 
richly  in  the  affection  of  his  fellow  passengers,  provided  it  was 
really  possible  for  the  people  to  like  him  better  than  before. 


248  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

The  train  reached  Monte/uma  without  mishap,  and  at  nine 
o'clock  they  entered  the  Villla  with  a  feeling  of  relief  and  restful- 
ness  contrasting  pleasantly  with  the  excitements  of  the  day. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

RETRIBUTION. 

It  had  not  been  more  than  a  day  since  they  left  their  peaceful 
abode,  but  the  strange  and  startling  events  which  had  occurred 
meanwhile  caused  the  period  to  appear  ever  so  much  longer.  It  is, 
indeed,  by  occurrences,  and  not  by  days  that  we  ought  to  compute 
time.  In  peace  and  tranquility  it  flows  so  evenly  that  we  hardly 
notice  the  current.  During  turbulent  periods,  on  the  other  hand, 
we  experience  more  in  a  day  than  otherwise  in  a  month,  and  at 
such  times  we  can  say  to  have  lived  proportionately  long.  80, 
with  the  family  of  the  A'illa.  Serious  dangers  had  threatened 
them,  and  for  hours  their  very  existence  had  been  in  jeopardy. 

The  danger  had  finally  been  averted,  and,  what  at  first  ap 
peared  as  a  great  calamity  had,  for  some  of  them  at  least,  assumed 
the  garb  of  a  blessing.  The  heart  of  the  bandit  had  been  touched, 
and,  with  this  event,  the  life  of  Clara,  which  seemed  on  the  brink 
of  ruin,  had  suddenly  taken  a  turn  for  the  better.  It  is  such  re 
actions,  however,  which  affect  us  most  deeply,  and  the  company, 
though  thankful  for  the  escape  from  danger,  and  consequently 
happy  thereat,  was  in  that  mood  of  mind  which  inclines  us  to  si 
lence  and  thoughtfulness.  A  late  supper  was  eaten  with  only  a 
casual  remark  interrupting  the  repast,  when  a  remark  of  Herbert 
startled  the  company. 

"Now,  I  think  of  it,''  he  said,  "  has  anybody  seen  Philip  dur 
ing  the  past  twenty-four  hours  ?  " 

No  one  had,  and  what  had  been  overlooked  in  the  excitement 
of  the  conflict  now  justly  caused  the  wonderment  of  everybody. 
"  Where  was  Philip,  and  what  had  become  of  him  ?"  At  this  mo 
ment  the  servant  waiting  on  them  came  in,  and  when  she  was  asked 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  249 

the  same  question,  she  replied  that  Senor  Philip  had  been  so  ill  all 
this  time  as  to  be  chained  to  his  room  and  even  bed.  An  incredu 
lous  smile  passed  over  the  face  of  his  cousin,  but  he  said  nothing. 
Nor  did  the  news  create  a  very  lively  interest  in  the  rest  of  the 
party,  Herbert  remarking  that  if  the  patient  was  not  better  in  the 
morning  he  would  have  to  pay  him  a  visit  in  his  medicinal  ca 
pacity.  Little  did  he  dream  of  the  complications  which  the  night 
would  bring. 

When  he  entered  his  office  the  next  morning  he  was  just  in 
time  to  receive  the  following  telegram  : 

"  LAKEVIEW,  September  8,  1878. 

"Herbert  Grau  : — The  Dolphin  arrived  last  night.  I  have  a 
passenger  on  board  who  claims  to  have  received  an  invitation  from 
you  to  visit  Friedensthal,  and  to  substantiate  her  claim  has  shown 
me  a  letter  from  you  which  I  did  not  read,  but  which  is  evidently 
genuine.  She  came  on  board  the  Dolphin  at  San  Francisco,  and 
was  so  positive  in  her  statements  that  I  did  not  dare  to  refuse  her  a 
passage,  although  you  had  not  given  me  any  instructions  to  that 
effect.  She  is  at  the  hotel  here,  and  I  should  like  to  know  whether 
I  shall  send  her  up  or  take  her  back  to  San  Francisco. 

Yours,  etc.,  JOIIANN  SEAMANN,  Captain  of  Dolphin." 

Herbert  leaned  back  in  his  chair  and  reflected  for  quite  a  while. 
"  Hem,"  he  muttered.  "  I  hardly  know  what  would  be  best.  I 
surely  did  not  invite  her,  but  my  hints  as  to  Philip  must  have 
brought  her,  and  it  would  hardly  be  hospitable  to  send  her  back 
on  such  a  long  voyage  without  giving  her  a  chance  to  rest.  I  have 
no  doubt  there  will  be  a  row,  but  if  his  conduct  has  justified  her 
indignation  he  must  blame  himself  for  that,  and  not  me.  I  think 
I  shall  let  her  come." 

He  wired  an  answer  in  conformity  with  this  resolution,  and  then 
went  to  Philip's  room  to  see  whether  his  indisposition  was  of  a  se 
rious  character.  He  found  the  young  man  still  in  bed,  but  a  single 
glance  sufficed  to  convince  him  that  the  malady  was  merely  one  of 
those  inventions  which  serve  as  a  cover  for  our  activity  or  inactivity, 
as  the  case  might  be.  When  Herbert  entered  Philip  stretched  out 
his  hand  and  said  : 

"  Allow  me  to  congratulate  you  upon  the  lucky  termination  of 


250  The  Treasure  of  Montezwna. 

an  outrage  which  might  have  proved  fatal  to  your  plans  and  as 
pirations.'' 

"  Curse  upon  this  sickness  which  compelled  me  to  remain  here 
in  inactivity,  while  Cousin  Arthur  gathered  laurels.  Believe  me, 
however,  that  my  best  wishes  were  with  you  all  the  while." 

"  Your  forte  is  diplomacy,  Philip,  not  war,"  Herbert  said, 
with  a  smile  in  which  irony  predominated  ;  "  but  can  you  not  rise 
and  take  breakfast  with  us  ?  There  may  be  visitors  who  would 
wish  to  make  your  acquaintance." 

"  Well,  I  shall  try  ;  the  pain  in  iny  back  has  left  me  almost  en 
tirely,  and  I  shall  certainly  make  an  effort  to  join  you." 

He  kept  his  word,  for,  just  as  the  company  were  on  the  point 
of  sitting  down  to  breakfast,  he  entered  the  dining-room.  On  see 
ing  his  brother  he  could  not  help  starting  back  in  consternation, 
and,  in  spite  of  his  adroitness,  he  betrayed  great  embarrassment. 

"  I  need  not  introduce  the  gentlemen,"  Herbert  said,  with  that 
suavity  which  is  sometimes  the  keenest  irony  ;  "  for,  as  I  learn 
from  this  prisoner,  you  are  united  by  the  bonds  of  blood.  You 
will,  no  doubt,  be  glad  to  learn,  Philip,  that  your  brother  has  con 
sented  to  become  a  member  of  our  colony." 

Philip  struggled  to  regain  his  self-possession,  and  finally  suc 
ceeded  sufficiently  to  stammer  : 

"I  congratulate  him  on  such  a  resolution,  and  trust  that  his 
conduct  will  be  such  as  to  justify  the  kindness  you  have  shown 
him." 

The  color  rose  in  his  brother's  face,  and  but  for  a  warning  look 
from  Herbert  the  young  man  might  have  broken  out  into  a  pas 
sionate  reply.  As  it  was,  he  abstained  from  making  any  remark 
at  all,  and  the  company  sat  down  to  breakfast. 

"I  just  now  learn  that  the  Dolphin  has  run  in,"  Herbert  in 
formed  the  party.  "  Captain  Seamann  informs  me  of  a  strange  in 
solence  of  which  a  Corvette  has  been  guilty.  She  signaled  the 
Dolphin  to  lay  to,  and  when  the  captain  paid  no  attention  gave 
chase  and  commenced  firing  on  our  steamer,  luckily  without  effect, 
for  when  the  Dolphin  showed  her  heels  she  soon  ran  away  from 
the  man-of-war.  This  is  certainly  an  outrage  which  they  would 
not  have  attempted  if  the  Dolphin  had  sailed  under  the  flag  of  a 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  251 

stronger  nation.  What  I  do  not  understand  in  the  matter,  is  the 
motive  lying  at  the  bottom  of  the  outrage." 

If  he  had  seen  the  significant  glance  which  Arturo — for  thus 
we  shall  henceforth  call  him,  to  distinguish  him  from  his  cousin- 
cast  at  his  brother,  and  the  palor  spreading  over  the  latter's  face, 
he  might  perhaps  have  got  a  clue  to  the  mystery.  As  it  was  the 
matter  was  dropped  and  the  meal  proceeded  in  silence,  until,  near 
the  end,  a  servant  entered  and  handed  Herbert  a  card. 

"  Ah,"  he  said  after  looking  at  it,  "  let  the  lady  enter  at  once ; 
she  may  not  have  breakfasted  and,  in  that  case,  do  us  ihe  honor  to 
join  us  in  our  meal." 

The  servant  retired  and  a  minute  later  a  lady  entered  the  room 
whose  appearance  had  the  same  effect  upon  the  company  as  the 
bursting  of  a  bombshell  in  a  bivouac.  The 'two  Arthur's  and 
Philip  sprang  to  their  feet  exclaiming  almost  simultaneously, 
"Bertha!" 

Herbert  also  arose,  though  less  unceremoniously,  and,  walking 
up  to  the  stranger,  said,  with  his  hand  outstretched  for  a  greeting  : 

"  Welcome,  Miss  Stamm,  in  Friedensthal.  Inez,  this  is  Miss 
Bertha  Stamm  ;  a  niece  of  my  lamented  friend  Anton  Stamm." 

"A  relation  entitling  her  to  my  regard,"  said  Inez  politely,  but 
rather  coldly.  The  young  men  now  felt  it  their  duty  to  say  a  few 
words  of  welcome,  although  each  of  them  had  his  reasons  for  em 
barrassment.  Arthur  was  the  first  to  collect  himself. 

"  This  is  quite  a  surprise,  Bertha,"  he  said,  taking  her  hand, 
and  giving  it  a  hearty  shake,  "  but  I  need  not  assure  you  that  it  is 
a  very  pleasant  one." 

"Nor  I,"  Philip  now  chimed  in  ;  "we  used  to  spend  such 
happy  hours  together  at  Antonsruhe  that  I  rejoice  at  the  prospect 
of  renewing  them." 

"  I  am  sincerely  glad  to  hear  you  say  so,"  she  replied,  looking 
at  him  so  steadily  that  he  was  forced  to  lower  his  glance. 

In  order  to  change  the  subject,  he  said  :  "  This  is  my  brother, 
Arthur  ;  I  suppose  you  have  almost  forgotten  him  in  the  long 
years  of  absence  ?  " 

"  I  remember  him  very  well,"  she  replied  in  the  cold  manner 
which  we  have  noticed  in  her  before.  •». 


252  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"  Bertha,  have  you  had  breakfast,  this  morning?"  Herbert  now 
inquired  ;  "if  not,  the  girl  shall  set  a  plate  for  you." 

"Thanks,  Mr.  Gran,"  she  responded  ;  "I  had  my  breakfast  at 
the  hotel." 

The  party  then  arose,  and  broke  into  groups.  Bertha  managed 
to  detach  Philip  from  the  others,  walking  with  him  to  one  of  the 
arbors  of  the  garden.  She  looked  at  him  affectionately  and  was  on 
the  point  of  speaking,  when  he  said  rather  coolly  : 

"  What  on  earth  brings  you  here,  Bertha?  How  did  you  get 
the  clue  to  the  secret  of  this  place?  " 

"  I  did  not  steal  it  this  tioie,"  she  replied  bitterly.  "  Mr.  Grau 
wrote  to  me  that  he  would  deed  Antonsruhe  to  me  if  I  would  re 
lease  Arthur  from  his  pledge.  I  was  so  glad  at  this  good  news  that 
I  could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  visit  his  place  of  residence. 
Besides " 

"  Well,  besides?  " 

"  He  told  me  in  his  letter  that  you  were  with  him  then,  a  cir 
cumstance  which  confirmed  my  resolutions  of  coming." 

"  Much  obliged  to  you,  Bertha,"  he  said  coolly  ;  but  what  is  to 
come  of  this  and  how  will  you  get  back  ?  " 

"  Why,  are  .you  not  going  with  me,  Philip?  " 

"  I  don't  know  yet  ;  may  be  I  shall;  but  do  not  tell  anybody 
here  of  our  intimacy." 

"  But  why  not,  Philip  ?  Antonsruhe  belongs  to  me  now  and 
there  is  no  longer  a  necessity  for  concealing  our  engagement." 

"  Well,  nevertheless  you  will  oblige  me  by  preserving  the  secret 
a  little  longer." 

We  leave  them  talking  and  follow  Herbert,  who  went  to  his 
office,  where  a  clerk  ran  to  meet  him  with  a  flushed  face,  saying 
hurriedly  : 

"  Head  this  dispatch,  Sir.  Here  are  boats  coming  up  the  Rio 
Frio,  to  attack  the  Dolphin,  and,  may  be,  the  settlement." 

Herbert  wasted  no  time  with  questions,  but  read  the  telegram, 
which  was  as  follows  . 

"Ox  BOARD  Tin:  DOLPHIN: — 

I  have  just  learned  from  reliable  sources  thht  the  boats  of  the 
same  Corvette  which  chased  me  will  make  a  night  attack  with 
boats.  Send  the  necessary  aid  without  delay,  as  I  am  not  in  condi- 


The  Treasure  of  Montez it  ma.  253 

tion  to  resist  so  formidable  an  assault.     The  man-of-war  must  have 
tracked  us  to  this  port. 

JOHAXX  SEAMANX." 

"Call  Arthur  in,"  Herbert  commanded;  "  and  Arturo  also. " 
Then,  without  waiting  a  moment,  he  dispatched  a  dozen  different 
messages  to  a  dozen  different  places.  Before  he  was  through,  the 
two  young  men  stood  at  his  side.  When  he  had  finished,  he  turned 
to  them,  saying  hurriedly  : 

"  I  need  you  both.  Captain  Seamann  telegraphs  to  me  that  the 
Corvette,  which  chased  the  Dolphin,  has  tracked  her  to  the  river 
and  is  preparing  to  attack  her  with  boats  the  coming  night.  The 
rascals  are  getting  impudent  and  need  a  lesson  that  will  prevent  a 
recurrence  of  such  an  offense.  I  have  telegraphed  to  get  the 
men  and  artillery  ready,  and  want  you  two  to  take  command  of  the 
forces  preparing  to  beat  back  the  assailants.  Arturo  you  may 
serve  under  Arthur,  and,  I  trust,  you  will  use  this  opportunity  to 
show  that  I  had  good  reasons  for  this  confidence  in  you." 

A  flash  of  joy  gleamed  from  the  young  man's  eyes. 

"  I  thank  you  uncle,"  was  all  he  said,  but  the  pressure  of  his 
hand  spoke  volumes,  and  showed  Herbert  that  he  had  done  well 
to  give  him  this  opportunity  for  redeeming  his  character.  He 
fairly  trembled  with  impatience  to  be  off,  and  when  the  two  hurried 
down  town  there  was  no  occasion  to  urge  him  to  speed  and  ac 
tivity. 

The  news  had  not  yet  reached  the  citizens,  excepting  those  to 
whom  Herbert  had  telegraphed  ;  but  such  tidings  travel  with  light 
ning  speed,  and  soon  the  public  were  in  possession  of  the  facts.  To 
know  and  respond  was  almost  simultaneous,  and  soon  the  two 
saw  themselves  at  the  head  of  five  hundred  chosen  men,  who 
burned  with  impatience  to  teach  this  foreign  foe  a  salutary  lesson. 
The  military  fire  kindled  by  the  recent  invasion  had  not  entirely 
subsided,  and  was  therefore  rekindled  with  redoubled  intensity. 
The  battery  had  been  fortunately  not  returned  to  the  armory,  and 
was  speedily  placed  upon  the  cars,  which  the  soldiers  boarded  at 
the  same  time.  AVhile  rushing  towards  Enterprise,  Arturo 
whispered  to  his  cousin  : 

"  It  is  not  more  than  right  that  I  should  tell  you  that  lam  pro- 


254  The  Treasure  of  Montezn/na. 

bably  partly  to  blame  for  this  movement  on  the  part  of  the  Cor 
vette." 

"  You?"  Arthur  said,  unwilling  to  trust  his  ears. 

"  Yes,  I.  In  order  to  make  you  understand,  I  am  compelled 
to  reveal  to  you  a  diabolical  plot  which  my  brother  concocted.  You 
know  already  that  it  was  our  plan  to  capture  uncle  Herbert,  but 
you  do  not  know  that  it  was  also  a  part  of  the  plan  to  convey  him 
on  board  the  Corvette  and  send  him  to  Germany  and  deliver  him 
to  the  authorities  for  the  execution  of  the  death  sentence  still  hang 
ing  over  him." 

"  Good  Heavens  !  What  a  villainous  plot/'  Arthur  could  not 
help  exclaiming. 

"  I  see  it  in  the  same  light  now,  Arturo  humbly  replied  ;  "  but 
blind  fury  and  passion  prevented  me  from  seeing  it  then.  I  must 
bear  my  share  of  the  disgrace  ;  but  believe  me  Arthur,  while  I 
lent  a  hand  in  the  execution  of  the  scheme,  I  was  not  diabolical 
enough  to  invent  it." 

"And  you  think  the  commander  of  the  Corvette  is  in  the 
plot?" 

"  I  know  it,  for  I  mailed  a  letter  which  Philip  gave  me  before 
my  expulsion  from  the  valley." 

"  I  am  glad  you  told  me  this  ;  partly  because  it  leaves  no 
longer  any  doubts  as  to  your  sincerity,  and  partly  because  it  shows 
the  serious  nature  of  the  affair.  There  is  no  doubt  that  we  shall 
be  able  to  repel  this  assault,  for  the  channel  of  the  river  is  too 
shallow  to  allow  the  Corvette  to  proceed  far  from  the  coast ;  but 
there  is  danger  of  complications  with  a  foreign  power.  Mexico  is 
not  able  to  cope  with  a  first-class  power  of  the  Old  World,  and 
would,  for  that  reason,  be  willing  enough  to  sacrifice  us  to  placate 
its  vengeance." 

Poor  Arturo  sat  very  crestfallen. 

"  Well,  that  won't  hinder  us  from  giving  them  a  good  thrashing, 
I  hope,"  he  said. 

Arthur  had  to  smile  against  his  will.  "Fear  not,  there  will  be 
fighting  enough  to  satisfy  the  most  bloodthirsty,"  he  replied.  "To 
do  these  tars  and  marines  justice,  they  never  count  the  odds  against 
them,  and  my  heart  bleeds  at  the  necessity  of  slaughtering  them, 


The  Treasure  of  Montezunia.  255 

for  slaughter  it  must  necessarily  be,  if  their  commander  persists  in 
his  determination  to  attack  us." 

By  this  time  they  had  reached  Enterprise,  where  another  de 
tachment  of  the  same  number  awaited  them.  The  reception  of 
Arthur  was  an  enthusiastic  one,  for  the  people  of  the  town  had  not 
forgotten  that  the  speedy  termination  of  the  invasion  was  chiefly 
due  to  his  skill  and  heroism.  They  extended  their  welcome  to 
their  late  foe,  and  marveled  not  a  little  at  the  striking  resemblance 
which  the  two  cousins  bore  to  one  another.  It  was,  in  fact,  only 
the  clothes  they  wore  which  enabled  them  to  know  them  apart. 

The  cars  in  which  the  Enterprise  division  of  militia  had  taken 
their  seats  were  coupled  to  the  train,  and  an  hour  later  the  expedi 
tion  stopped  at  the  terminus,  which  our  previous  visit  has  made 
familiar  to  the  reader.  The  .battery  was  speedily  unloaded  and 
lowered  to  the  Dolphin,  which  was  lying  close  under  the  cliff.  This 
being  done,  the  guns  were  then  placed  in  position  and  loaded  with 
grapeshot,  under  the  supervision  of  a  gunner  who  had  served  a 
number  of  years  in  that  capacity.  The  troops  were  posted  partly 
on  board  the  steamer,  whose  gunwale  offered  an  excellent  protec 
tion  against  hostile  bullets,  and  partly  on  the  cliffs  of  the  northern 
side,  the  southern  being  too  steep  for  access  to  anybody. 

By  dusk  everything  was  in  readiness.  The  men  took  their 
supper  and  then  went  to  their  respective  posts,  with  orders  to  remain 
as  still  as  possible  and  to  refrain  from  firing  until  the  order  was 
given.  Arturo  had  received  the  command  of  the  division  on  the 
rocks,  while  Arthur  remained  on  board  the  steamer,  whose  boats 
had  been  lowered  and  manned  with  sharpshooters,  in  order  to  take 
the  aggressive,  if  such  a  movement  should  be  deemed  advisable. 
Arthur  was  greatly  troubled  in  his  mind  about  the  approaching 
struggle.  As  he  had  said  to  his  cousin,  he  was  not  afraid  of  the 
issue  but  foresaw  that  the  conflict  would  be  a  bloody  one  and  might 
lead  to  complications  with  a  strong  power  fatal  to  the  prosperity  of 
Friedensthal.  Could  he  not  possibly  pursue  a  course  calculated  to 
avoid  a  collision  ?  If  he  could  only  convince  the  commander  of 
the  expedition  that  an  attack,  with  boats  on  so  impregnable  a  posi 
tion  must  be  a  disastrous  failure,  he  might  be  induced  to  abstain 
from  wasting  uselessly  both  amunition  and  blood.  But  how  could 
he  accomplish  this  ?  In  vain  he  racked  his  brain,  and  came  finally 


25(5  The  Treasure  of  Montezinna. 

to  the  conclusion  that  it  would  be  best  to  await  further  develop 
ments,  and  then  seize  the  first  favorable  opportunity  presenting 
itself.  In  order  to  ascertain  the  position  of  the  enemy,  he  boarded 
one  of  the  boats  and  ordered  the  men  to  row  him  down  the  river. 
They  proceeded  with  muffled  oars  and  stopped  every  few  minutes 
to  listen  for  signs  from  the  enemy.  The  wind  came  up  the  river, 
a  circumstance  favoring  his  purpose.  He  was  about  a  mile  from 
the  steamer  when  ho  thought  he  heard  a  faint  noise  in  the  distance. 
He  ordered  his  men  to  stop  rowing,  and  all  listened  with  the  keen 
est  attention.  Arthur  had  not  mistaken  ;  the  muffled  sound  of  oars 
handled  with  the  greatest  precaution  could  plainly  be  heard  in  the 
distance.  Gradually  it  became  louder,  and  when  our  friend  had 
convinced  himself  that  there  was  no  doubt  of  the  approach  of  the 
foe.  he  ordered  his  men  to  return  to  the  steamer.  Rapidly  the  boat 
continued  on  its  course  up  the  river,  and  soon  afterwards  glided 
past  the  bow  of  the  steamer.  Arthur  resumed  his  post  on  board 
the  Dolphin  and  waited  anxiously  for  the  developments  which  the 
next  few  minutes  must  necessarily  bring.  Still  his  face  was 
troubled,  and  he  racked  his  brain  for  an  outlet  from  the  dilemma. 
At  first  it  would  not  show  itself.  But  suddenly  a  ray  of  light 
flitted  over  his  countenance,  only  to  pass  away  and  leave  a  deeper 
shadow  there  than  before.  But  this  shadow  in  turn  passed  away 
and  once  more  the  ray  of  light  made  its  appearance,  this  time  to 
stay  and  clear  the  face  of  all  trouble  and  uncertainty.  After  a 
minute's  reflection,  Arthur  nodded  as  in  answer  to  a  mental  inquiry, 
and  then  muttered  : 

"Yes,  that  will  do;"  he  arose1  at  the  same  time,  called  the 
captain  and  Arturo  to  his  side  and  engaged  in  a  short  but  eager 
conversation,  whose  nature  must  surely  have  been  wf  a  humorous 
character,  for  the  eyes  of  the  hearers  twinkled  and  the  grin 
which  the  first  words  provoked  on  their  faces  broadened  until  their 
mouths  widened  almost  from  ear  to  ear,  and  more  than  one  "capi 
tal  !"  "splendid!"  "just  the  thing !"  escaped  their  lips.  As 
discrete  men,  however,  they  moderated  their  voices  sufficiently  to 
guard  the  official  secret  from  profane  ears,  and  since  the  well  known 
discretion  of  the  reader  and  ourselves  excludes  the  very  idea  of 
eavesdropping,  we  have  to  be  satisfied  to  learn  the  nature  of  the 
things  in  store  by  their  development. 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  257 

Night  bad  now  completely  settled  on  the  landscape,  and  an  im 
penetrable  darkness  had  wrapped  everything  in  its  dense  folds ;  but 
the  anxiety  of  Arthur  and  his  men  had  disappeared  and  given  room 
to  that  pleasant  sensation  with  which  we  await  an  entertainment 
rich  with  the  promise  of  fun  and  merriment.  The  only  feeling 
manifest  was  that  of  impatience  at  the  long  delay  of  the  fun. 

At  last  there  came  signs  of  the  arrival  of  the  expected 
though  uninvited  guests.  The  dull  thud  of  muffled  oars,  scarcely 
noticable  to  the  unconcerned,  became  plainly  audable  to  the  ex 
pectant  listeners.  The  boats  reached  a  position  between  the  steamer 
and  the  opposite  cliff.  The  tide  was  now  at  its  height,  covering 
the  narrow  banks  too  high  to  allow  any  footing.  On  board  the 
steamer  everything  was  quiet,  justifying  the  hope  of  the  invaders 
that  their  attack  would  be  a  complete  surprise.  Only  the  regu 
lar  throbbing  of  the  engine  was  heard,  resembling  the  peaceful 
breathing  of  a  giant,  whose  very  breath  may  become  destruction 
when  coupled  with  consciousness. 

Now  the  boats  are  drawn  up  in  line;  a  low  whistle  gives  the 
sign  for  the  advance  upon  the  steamer,  and  this  advance  begins, 
only  to  be  cut  short  in  a  manner  of  which  the  assailants  had  little 
dreamed.  As  if  by  magic  the  deep  obscurity  of  the  night  sud 
denly  gave  way  to  a  brilliant  light  which  the  suddenness  of  the 
change  made  almost  magical  and  truly  overwhelming.  Before  the 
assailants  had  time  to  recover  from  their  surprise,  four  heavy 
streams  of  water  began  to  play  upon  them  with  a  force  making  it 
totally  impossible  for  them  to  maintain  their  positions,  throwing 
almost  the  entire  force  into  the  river,  where  they  spurted  and  blew 
like  a  herd  of  porpoises.  Of  course  they  made  immediate  and  des 
perate  exertions  to  regain  the,  boats,  but  they  failed,  partly  because 
the  heavy  streams  continued  to  play  upon  them  and  partly  because 
the  boats,  all  at  once,  reared  like  refractory  horses,  assuming 
gradually  a  vertical  position,  spilling  into  the  water,  as  a  matter  of 
course,  the  few  who  had  thus  far  kept  their  positions.  The  scene 
was  certainly  one  of  extreme  confusion,  and  the  mass  of  struggling 
humanity  in  the  river  must  have  presented  a  highly  ludicrous  ap 
pearance,  for  shouts  of  laughter  resounded  on  all  sides,  much  to 
the  vexation  of  the  involuntary  bathers,  if  we  may  judge  from  the 
numerous  imprecations  arising  from  their  lips.  Never,  however, 


258  The  Treasure  of  Monteztana. 

had  they  been  more  helpless  and  unable  to  resent  a  practical  joke, 
and.  what  is  more,  they  were  not  merely  helpless,  but  also  in  peril 
of  finding  a  watery  grave  in  the  deep  river,  for,  though  all  skilled 
in  the  art  of  swimming,  they  were  too  heavily  encumbered  with 
their  uniforms  and  weapons  to  make  much  use  of  it.  When,  there 
fore,  a  helping  hand  or  hook  was  extended,  the  struggle' rs  made 
such  instant  use  of  the  aid  proffered  that  in  less  than  fifteen  min 
utes  the  whole  force  was  on  board  the  steamer,  deprived  of  their 
weapons  and  reduced  to  the  inglorious  condition  of  captivity.  We 
need  hardly  add  that  a  more  crestfallen  crew  can  not  well  be  im 
agined  ;  nor  need  we  wonder,  for  they  who,  but  a  few  minutes  ago, 
had  reveled  in  the  anticipation  of  an  easy  victory,  were  now  totally 
at  the  mercy  of  a  foe  whose  character  they  did  not  know,  and 
whose  resentment  they  had  good  reason  to  fear.  The  commander 
of  the  expedition  especially  presented  a  picture  of  despondency,  as 
well  he  might,  for,  without  regard  to  the  fate  in  store  for  him  on 
the  part  of  the  victors,  he  had  reason  to  apprehend  a  severe  pun 
ishment  from  the  commander  of  the  Corvette  for  the  levity  with 
which  he  had  plunged  his  men  into  this  predicament. 

Arthur  seemed  to  read  his  thoughts  ;  stepping  up  to  him,  he 
said,  with  a  polite  bow,  in  German  : 

"  Good  evening,  sir.  Permit  me  to  offer  you  the  hospitality  of 
this  vessel." 

The  touch  of  sarcasm  in  these  words  was  so  softened  by  the  po 
liteness  and  evident  good  humor  of  the  speaker  that  the  captive 
was  wise  enough  to  accept  the  pleasant  side  of  the  situation,  saying 
with  an  attempt  to  brighten  up  : 

"  Thanks,  sir  ;  if  the  welcome  is  as  hearty  as  the  double  bath 
you  gave  us,  we  shall  have  little  reason  to  complain." 

"We  shall  endeavor  to  make  it  so,"  was  the  laughing  reply. 
Then,  becoming  serious,  the  speaker  continued  : 

"  Indeed,  we  have  no  inclination  to  pay  you  back  in  your  own 
coin.  The  nation  to  which  you  belong  is  mine,  and  nothing  is  fur 
ther  from  my  mind  than  to  harm  its  valiant  tars.  Please  follow 
me  to  a  stateroom  to  don  a  dry  suit.  I  want  you  to  make  a  short 
excursion  with  me  through  our  colony  to-morrow  morning  to  be 
come  convinced  that  even  an  army  would  find  it  difficult  to  conquer 
us.  We  want  to  live  in  peace  with  our  Fatherland,  and  nothing,  I 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  259 

think,  will  bring  about  such  a  valuable  condition  of  affairs  more 
readily  than  your  recognition  of  our  strength. ' ' 

The  officer  was  as  much  struck  by  the  nature  of  these  words  as 
the  gentlemanly  tone  in  which  they  were  uttered.  He  merely 
bowed,  and  by  rising,  signified  his  readiness  to  do  the  other's  bid 
ding.  Arthur  led  him  to  a  stateroom,  and  half  an  hour  later  the 
officer  was  dressed  in  one  of  Captain  Seamann's  suits  ready  to  re 
join  Arthur,  who  had  meanwhile  been  busily  engaged  in  making  the 
other  prisoners  as  comfortable  as  circumstances  would  permit. 

The  officers  as  well  as  the  men  were  provided  with  dry  gar 
ments,  and  so  ludicrous  an  aspect  did  they  present  that  the  grin  on 
the  faces  of  their  captors  refused  to  down.  A  hearty  meal  had 
been  spread  in  the  cabins,  and  when  the  hungry  invaders  sat  down 
to  do  it  ample  justice,  with  their  captors  at  their  backs  in  the  role  of 
attentive  hosts,  the  scene  bore  more  the  character  of  a  carnival 
banquet  than  a  gloomy  prison  meal.  The  common  language  of  the 
two  parties  formed  an  additional  bond  of  union  between  them,  and 
soon  a  lively  intercourse  was  in  progress,  the  coarse  jokes  to  which 
Jack  Tar  is  addicted  Hying  thick  and  fast,  causing  shouts  of  laugh 
ter  at  every  good  hit.  Even  amongst  the  officers  this  entente  cor- 
diale  made  its  appearance,  and  at  the  end  of  the  meal  all  restraint 
seemed  to  have  vanished.  This  was  chiefly  due  to  the  genial  hos 
pitality  of  Arthur,  who  was  so  happy  over  the  bloodless  termina 
tion  of  the  encounter  that  he  could  have  embraced  his  worst  foe 
with  the  greatest  cordiality.  His  influence  was  irresistible,  and 
when  the  party  retired  for  the  night,  the  mutual  hand  shaking  was 
as  hearty  as  sincere. 

The  next  morning,  after  dawn,  when  Arthur  stepped  on  deck, 
he  found  the  commander  of  his  prisoners  there  inspecting  the  sur 
roundings  with  both  interest  and  curiosity.  Pointing  to  the  boats 
of  the  Corverte,  which  were  still  suspended  in  the  air  by  means  of 
wire-ropes  descending  from  the  cliff ,  he  said  laughingly  : 

"  I  see  now  why  our  horses  began  to  rear  all  at  once  in  so  un 
accountable  a  manner.  The  trick  is  so  good  a  one  that  I  forgive 
you  for  our  defeat  with  all  my  heart.  I  shudder  at  the  thought  of 
the  slaughter  to  which  you  could  have  subjected  our  men  if  you 
had  chosen  to  do  so." 

"I  assure  you  that  the  fear  of  being  compelled  to  such  a  course 


260  The  Treasure  of  Mantezinna. 

weighed  heavily  on  my  mind  last  night,"  replied  Arthur  earnestly. 
"  But  come  to  the  cabin  for  an  early  breakfast.  We  shall  need  all 
the  day  to  inspect  the  things  I  have  to  show  to  you." 

"  I  am  at  your  service,  sir,  but  permit  me  to  ask  :  where  did 
the  terrible  streams  come  from  Avhich  made  such  dreadful  havoc 
among  us." 

"They  come  in  pipes  from  a  lake  higher  up  in  the  valley,  which 
I  shall  show  you  in  due  season,"  Arthur  replid  with  a  laugh. 

"  Hark,  there  is  the  breakfast  bell  !  " 

The  excellent  meal,  with  its  fragrant  coffee  and  pleasant  native 
wines  of  Friedensthal,  evidently  strengthened  the  tie  which  the 
supper  of  the  night  before  had  begun  to  weave,  and  when  it  was 
over  the  lieutenant  of  the  Corvette,  whose  name,  was  Detmold,  was 
ready  to  follow  Arthur  everywhere,  even  if  he  would  have  been 
obliged  to  meet  hardships  and  dangers  instead  of  the  pleasant  sur 
prises  which  he  had  been  led  to  expect. 

When  he  and  Arthur  readied  the  deck  of  the  Dolphin  the  can 
non  had  disappeared,  so  had,  in  fact,  the  greater  part  of  the  mi 
litia,  only  a  body  of  two  hundred  remaining  to  guard  the  prisoners 
and  repel  any  further  attacks  on  the  part  of  the  Corvette. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

SURPRISES    ALL    AROUND. 

Arthur  and  his  companions  rose  to  the  level  of  the  tunnel  by 
means  of  the  elevator,  commonly  used  for  hoisting  the  imported 
and  exported  goods.  Lieutenant  Detmold  had  been  urged  to  in 
spect  everthing  he  saw  with  the  greatest  care,  and  it  must  be  con 
fessed  that  he  obeyed  this  injunction  with  the  most  scrupulous  ex 
actness.  The  great  elevator  or  crane,  the  train  of  cars  loaded  with 
the  militia  and  the  buttery,  the  panting  locomotive,  awaiting 
merely  the  arrival  of  Arthur  and  his  companions  to  pull  the 
train  from  the  tunnel  ;  all  this  display  of  system  and  power  im 
pressed  the  lieutenant  very  forcibly  as  strange  things  to  be  found 


The  Trea-<i(rej>f  Montezitma.  261 

in  an  apparently  uninhabited  wilderness.  At  first  he  managed  to 
conceal  his  impressions  under  the  calm  exterior  of  the  man  of 
the  world,  but  when  the  train  emerged  from  the  tunnel,  passing 
one  bridge  after  another,  when  then  the  valley  expanded  in  its 
loveliness,  allowing  the  vision  to  feast  upon  all  the  beauties  before 
described  ;  the  handsome  farm-houses,  with  their  clusters  of  trees 
and  bushes,  the  beautiful  and  expansive  lake,  with  Lake- 
view  stretched  along  its  picturesque  shore,  and  when,  after  an 
hour's  ride  Enterprise  was  reached,  displaying  its  busy  thous 
ands,  its  stores  and  villas,  its  shops  and  factories,  the  aston 
ishment  of  the  stranger  had  become  so  boundless  and  over 
whelming  as  to  defy  all  attempts  at  concealment.  Now  he  sat 
speechless,  his  soul  centering  in  his  eyes  ;  now  he  burst  into  excla 
mations  of  delight  over  the  discovery  of  something  unusually 
beautiful  or  grand.  Occasionally  he  would  ask  a  question,  but 
most  of  the  time  he  sat  mute,  the  sense  of  sight  evidently  absorb 
ing  all  his  mental  faculties.  As  they  progressc<;  I  i-  Itcwilderment 
increased  until,  on  reaching  Montezuma,  it  tu.uuoL  bordered  on 
stupefaction.  As  they  alighted  from  the  cars  and  entered  the 
magnificent  park  Arthur  heard  his  companion  mutter  more  than 
once  :  "  Where  am  I  ?  Is  this  a  dream  ?  Is  it  reality?"  Then, 
as  if  unable  to  solve  the  mystery,  he  shook  his  head,  allowing  him 
self  to  be  lead  mechanically  into  a  street  car,  where  he  sank  upon 
a  seat  in  a  state  of  more  mental  than  physical  exhaustion. 

"  Cheer  up,  Lieutenant,"  Arthur  said  smilingly  and  with  an  en 
couraging  look  ;  "our  journey  is  nearly  over,  and  then  you  can 
rest  to  your  heart's  content." 

"  So  much  the  better,  Sennor, "  the  other  replied,  with  a  touch 
of  humor,  in  which,  however,  a  certain  seriousness  was  plainly  pef- 
ceptible.  "  So  much  the  better  ;  for  if  you  continue  to  lead  me 
much  longer  through  this  world  of  marvels  you  may  as  well  con 
duct  me  at  once  to  an  insane  asylum." 

"  Well  then,  I  am  happy  to  inform  you  that  we  are  at  the  end 
of  our  journey,  for  here  lives  the  man  whose  genius  has  achieved 
all  these  wonders.  Prepare  to  meet  in  him  the  greatest  of  all 
miracles  of  the  valley." 

Thus  warned,  the  officer  allowed  himself  to  be  conducted  into 
the  hall  of  the  Herbert  mansion,  and  thence  to  the  office  where  its 


262  The  Treasure  of  Monteziima. 

master  was  ready  to  receive  him.  We  need  hardly  mention  that 
the  telegraph  had  informed  him  of  the  issue  of  the  singular  and 
bloodless  struggle.  Like  Arthur,  he  rejoiced  at  its  harmless  termi 
nation  ;  but,  while  he  was  far  from  the  desire  of  resenting  the  un 
warrantable  aggression  of  the  man-of-war  on  the  innocent  tools  of 
a  higher  authority,  lie  thought  it  proper  to  observe  a  reticence  and 
coldness  indicative  of  indignation  at  the  assault.  So,  when  Arthur 
entered  and  introduced  the  prisoner  he  bowed  a  little  stiffly  and 
said,  both  coldly  and  sternly  : 

"  I  would  be  much  more  glad  to  meet  the  gentlemen,  if  he  had 
come  on  a  more  peaceful  errand.  Is  it  customary  now  in  the  Old 
World  to  thus  attack  peaceful  citizens  who  make  it  a  point  to  mind 
their  own  business?  " 

The  sharp  tone  of  the  rebuke  restored  in  a  measure  the  self- 
possession  of  the  prisoner,  who  replied  fearlessly,  though  politely  : 

"As  to  the  habits  of  the  European  powers,  I  must  confess 
ignorance,  being  a  son  of  the  ocean  and,  as  such,  constantly  upon 
its  bosorn.  As  to  my  errand  here,  I  plead  innocent,  being  an  in 
ferior  officer  of  the  Corvette  and,  as  such,  bound  to  obey  the  orders 
of  my  superiors." 

"  Well  answered,'1  said  Herbert,  an  amused  smile  playing  about 
his  lips." 

"But  can  you  not  at  least  give  me  a  plausible  explanation  fora 
demonstration  so  greatly  at  variance  with  the  usages  of  enlightened 
nations  ?  " 

"I  cannot,  Sir,  and  if  I  could,  you  would  hardly  expect  me  to 
betray  the  confidence  of  my  commander." 

"Ko,  Sir,  for  I  despise  a  traitor,"  responded  Herbert,  in  whose 
esteem  this  fearless  young  soldier  rose  every  minute.  "  When  I 
asked  you  for  an  explanation  I  expected  only  such  as  you  could 
honorably  give.  This,  however,  does  not  remove  the  fact  that  your 
commander  has  been  guilty  of  an  inexcusable  breach  of  peace, 
and  that  I  would  be  fully  justified  in  using  any  measures  of  retalia 
tion  within  my  reach." 

The  lieutenant  said  nothing,  but  shrugged  his  shoulders,  as  if 
to  say  :  "  Well,  you  have  the  power,  I  must  submit  to  any  measures 
you  may  deem  proper  to  adopt," 

"  I  shall  certainly  express  my  opinion  of  his  conduct  in  terms 


The  Treasure  of  Moniezuma.  263 

of  unmistakable  plainness,"  Herbert  resumed  ;  "but  this  is  neither 
here  nor  there,  and  you  may  rest  assured  that  I  shall  not  exercise 
vengeance  upon  men  whose  only  offense  was  to  have  obeyed  their 
commander  well.  Consider  yourself  my  honored  guest  during 
your  sojourn  here.  Arthur,  be  kind  enough  to  lead  the  gentle 
man  to  a  room  where  he  can  make  the  necessary  preparations  for 
dinner,  which  cannot  be  far  off." 

Thus  dismissed,  the  lieutenant  followed  Arthur,  who  led  him 
up  stairs  into  a  handsome  room.  As  the  guide  was  on  the  point  of 
retiring,  the  stranger  stopped  him  and  said,  extending  his  hand  : 
"Permit  me  to  thank  you  for  all  the  kindness  you  have  shown  me 
in  this  unfortunate  affair.  Who  would  have  thought  that  it  would 
have  terminated  in  this  way — almost  in  the  manner  of  the  Arabian 
Nights.  Nothing  but  the  enchanted  princess  is  wanting  to  make 
the  likeness  perfect." 

"Well,  who  knows  but  the  princess  may  appear  sooner  than 
you  imagine." 

"Really?  Well,  if  she  is  in  conformity  with  all  the  rest  of 
this  magic  land,  she  will  be  an  acceptable  addition.  I  reckon,  if 
our  captain  had  known  into  what  hornets  nest  he  would  put  his 
hand  he  would  have  thought  twice  before  meddling." 

"  Do  you  think  that  his  opinion  of  our  weakness  makes  his  at 
tempt  any  more  honorable  ?  " 

The  other  blushed,  replying  hastily  :  "Of  course  not.  I  did 
not  like  to  talk  out  of  school  down  stairs,  but  you  are  more  my 
equal  and  comrade,  as  it  were,  and  I  do  not  hesitate  to  confess  to 
you  that  a  piece  of  diplomatic  trickery  is  at  the  bottom  of  this 
affair." 

"  I  am  sure  of  it,"  Arthur  replied  so  positively  that  the  other 
started  and  looked  at  him  with  surprise.  Our  friend,  however, 
gave  him  no  chance  for  any  further  questions,  but  said  hurriedly  ; 

"Not  now,  Sennor.  You  have  but  a  few  minutes  to  prepare 
for  an  introduction  to  the  enchanted  princess,  and  if  my  prolonged 
stay  hinders  you  from  making  the  proper  tcilet,  you  will  never 
pardon  me;  adio." 

With  this  he  withdrew  to  seek  Inez,  who  flew  with  an  exclama 
tion  of  rapture  into  his  arms  and  cried  : 


264  The  Treasure  of  Montezwna. 

"At  last !  O,  Arthur,  I  have  entertained  so  much  anxiety  for 
your  safety." 

"  I  am  sorry,  dear,"  for  never  have  such  fears  been  more 
groundless.  Has  father  not  informed  you  of  the  issue  of  the 
combat  ?  " 

"  Yes,  he  has,  but  I  have  trembled  for  you  nevertheless.  As 
long  as  I'hilip  is  in  the  colony,  I  shall  have  no  peace.  I  hope 
sincerely  that  papa  will  send  him  away." 

"  Your  wish  will  probably  be  gratified  before  long,  but  fear 
nothing  on  his  part.  He  has  been  unmasked  and  thus  made  harm 
less.  But  I  have  to  get  ready  for  dinner,  earn  mia,  so  4'are  thee 
well." 

AVhen,  half  an  hour  later,  he  led  Lieutenant  Detmold  into  the 
dinning  room,  he  found  Inez  ready  to  do  the  honors  of  the  house. 
Presenting  the  stranger  to  her,  he  said  : — 

"  Inez,  permit  me  to  introduce  to  your  consideration  Lieutenant 
Detmold,  of  the  Corvette  "  Mermaid."  Lieutenant  this  is  Miss 
Ine/  Herbert,  the  enchanted  princess  of  this  haunted  region." 

The  officer  bowed  low.  "  Elnchanting  you  should  have  said, 
Sennor.  I  fear  you  have  done  me  little  kindness  by  introducing 
me  into  this  world  of  wonders,  since,  by  a  subsequent  expulsion, 
you  must  needs  create  a  painful  craving  for  its  charms." 

We  know  that  Inez  was  not  much  given  to  flatteries  of  any 
sort,  but  the  appearance  of  the  young  seaman  was  so  preposessing, 
and  his  words  were  colored  with  such  an  air  of  frankness,  that  she 
could  not  force  herself  to  resent  them. 

"  I  see  you  share  the  fault  of  all  followers  of  the  sea,  /.  e.,  you 
natter  and  exaggerate." 

"  Indeed  you  wrong  me,"  the  youth  cried  enthusiastically.  "If 
you  had,  like  me,  been  led  through  this  land  of  marvels,  you  would, 
like  me,  fear  to  trust  your  senses,  and  be  inclined  to  believe  in 
fairies  and  other  mystical  beings.  I  trust  you  will  extend  your 
benevolence  to  your  newest  servant,  and  allow  him  to  offer  his 
homage  to  your  fairyship. " 

"I  see  your  journey  thrcugh  Fairyland  has  been  too  much  for 
your  mental  equilibrium,  and  it  is  on  this  ground  I  pardon  your 
exaggerations,  and  overlook  your  heterodox  compliments.  As  a 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  265 

sign  I  bear  you  no  malice,  I  will  permit  you  to  offer  me  your  arm, 
for  I  see  that  the  entire  party  has  assembled." 

''The  eagerness  with  which  the  youth  obeyed  showed  plainly 
how  delighted  and  honored  he  felt  at  this  privilege.  Proudly  he 
led  the  fair  maiden  towards  the  table,  where  the  rest  of  the  com 
pany  awaited  them.  Inez  introduced  him  to  Philip  and  Bertha, 
and  could  not  help  noticing  the  slight  tremor  which  passed  over  the 
former's  b  >dy  when  he  was  informed  of  the  stranger's  character. 

"The  Mermaid,"  he  forced  himself  to  remark.  "Then  you 
are  here  in  the  capacity  of  an  ambassador  ?  " 

"Nothing  of  the  kind,  sir,"  the  young  man  replied  with  a 
laugh  ;  "I  am  here  in  the  capacity  of  a  prisoner,  bound  with  chains 
of  the  strongest  kind." 

A  significant  glance  at  Inez  gave  a  double  meaning  to  his  words, 
but  the  girl  had  no  time  to  chide  him  for  his  temerity,  for  Herbert 
at  this  moment  begged  the  company  to  be  seated  and  partake  of 
the  bounties  spread  before  them.  The  young  seaman  did  not  fail 
to  obey  his  summons  with  alacrity.  He  ate  with  the  appetite  for 
which  his  profession  is  noted,  and  did  more  than  his  share  to  en 
liven  the  repast  with  his  humorous  remarks  ;  but,  in  spite  of  all 
that,  there  seemed  to  be  a  certain  something  hovering  in  the  air 
which  acted  as  a  damper  upon  the  spirits  of  the  company.  Even 
the  jolly  mariner  could  not  escape  its  influence,  buoyed  by  the 
liberal  potations  of  Friedensthal  wine  though  he  was.  The  grow 
ing  silence  around  him  startled  him  and  shut  off  his  stream  of 
pleasant  badinage  so  suddenly  that  the  stillness  became  truly  op 
pressive.  He  looked  about  with  an  air  of  perplexity,  as  if  asking 
for  an  explanation,  an  appeal  which  caused  Herbert  to  break  the 
silence  by  saying : 

"Lieutenant  Detmold,  I  have  reflected  gravely  upon  the  affair 
which  gave  us  the  pleasure  of  your  company,  and  as  we  are  all 
more  or  less  concerned  in  the  decision  which  I  have  formed,  I  can 
do  nothing  better  than  communicate  it  at  this  time  and  place. 
Here  is  a  letter  to  the  commander  of  the  Corvette  which  you  will 
be  kind  enough  to  hand  him  on  your  return  to  the  "Mermaid." 
My  terms  are  as  follows  :  I  agree  to  release  all  my  prisoners  with 
out  ransom,  provided  the  commander  promises  to  abstain  hereafter 
from  all  hostile  demonstrations,  and  agrees  to  convey  as  passengers 


26(5  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

Philip  Grau  and  his  betrothed,  Bertha  Stamm,  and  either  land 
both  of  them  safely  at  some  port  of  Germany,  or,  it'  his  instruc 
tions  should  forbid,  see  that  some  other  vessel  carries  out  this  por 
tion  of  the  programme." 

The  company  cast  stolen  glances  at  Philip  Grau  when  Herbert 
ceased.  They  all  felt  that  this  was  banishment,  a  dismissal  in  dis 
grace.  Philip  himself  turned  deadly  pale,  but  managed  to  falter  : 

"  You  merely  anticipate  my  wishes,  Sennor,  by  making  this  re 
quest,  which  is  superfluous,  however,  since  I  have  sufficient  influ 
ence  with  Captain  Yerner  to  secure  it  for  my  own  sake." 

"  Of  this  I  have  no  doubt,  sir,"  Herbert  replied  coldly,  "  as 
the  presence  of  Lieutenant  Detmold  clearly  proves  such  influ 
ence." 

The  shower  of  startled  looks  at  this  remark  deepened  the  pallor 
on  Philip's  face. 

"Dr.  Grau,"  he  said,  with  an  attempt  at  bravado,  "you  shall 
not  thus  insult  me  with  impunity.  I  shall  appeal — 

"Philip,"  Herbert  interrupted  him  calmly.  "Say  nothing 
further,  or  I  may  forget  that  you  and  I  bear  the  same  name,  and 
reveal  to  those  present  the  whole  depravity  of  your  black  soul. 
With  you  I  am  done,  but  I  have  to  say  a  word  to  this  young  lady. 
Remember,  Bertha,  that  your  future  is  with  a  man  whom  I  have 
grave  reasons  to  consider  dangerous  in  the  extreme.  If  you  wish 
to  detach  yourself  from  him,  I  shall  enable  you  to  reach  your  na 
tive  land  in  safety." 

All  eyes  were  now  turned  upon  Bertha,  but  she  was  not  the 
person  to  become  easily  embarrassed.  With  the  deliberate  coolness 
we  have  noticed  in  her  before,  she  replied.: 

"  I  thank  you,  Uncle,  for  your  kind  interest  and  advice  ;  but  I 
cannot  benefit  by  them,  as  my  destiny  is  irrevocably  linked  to  this 
man.  While  I  am  not  blind  to  his  shortcomings,  1  love  him  ;  I  love 
him  with  all  the  fervor  of  my  soul,  and  could  no  more  struggle 
against  this  passion  than  swim  against  the  current  of  Niagara.  So 
with  him  I  shall  share  joy  and  sorrow  as  long  as  a  spark  of  life 
animates  my  body." 

Yery  strong  passion  is  apt  to  impress  us,  and  there  was  not 
one  present  who  thought  her  confession  either  unwomanly  or  ri 
diculous.  Philip  himself  was  powerfully  affected  by  it.  While  all 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  267 

others  cast  him  oft',  this  woman,  whom  he  had  wronged  so  deeply, 
was  the  only  one  to  adhere  to  him,  in  spite  of  the  ominous  light 
which  Herbert's  insinuations  could  not  help  casting  upon  him.  The 
little  good  pervading  his  nature  was  stirred,  and  seizing  Bertha's 
hand,  he  said  : 

"  I  thank  you,  Bertha.     Trust  in  me  ;  my  future  life  will  prove 
that  you  have  not  put  your  trust  in  me  in  vain." 

The  company  then  arose.  While  Philip  and  Bertha  made 
preparations  for  a  departure  which,  in  all  probability,  would  be  an 
early  one,  Lieutenant  Detmold  devoted  himself  with  so  much  zeal 
to  the  wooing  of  Inez's  favor  that  Arthur  took  pity  on  him  and  in 
formed  him  of  the  tender  ties  which  bound  the  fair  maiden  to  him. 
This  revelation  struck  the  young  officer  like  a  thunderbolt.  He  re 
mained  silent  a  moment,  then  rallying,  he  said,  almost  fiercely  : 

"  Why  the  deuce  didn't  you  tell  me  sooner?  " 

"Sooner?"  Arthur  returned;  "  you  seem  to  forget  that  you 
have  been  here  only  an  hour  or  so.  How  could  I  imagine  that  you 
would  be  all  fire  and  flame  so  soon  ? " 

The  other  reflected  a  moment  ;  then  replied  :  "  You  are  right, 
and  I  beg  your  pardon  for  my  rudeness.  Still,  how  could  a  fellow 
witness  such  loveliness,  and  not  be  captivated  by  it  ?  I  fear  that  I 
have  this  day  received  a  wound  which  will  not  heal  for  many  a  day 
to  come." 

"  Nonsense,  lieutenant,  cheer  up  ;  you  will  soon  get  over  this 
spell  and  laugh  at  your  infatuation.  But  here  conies  father,  let  us 
see  what  he  has  in  store  for  us." 

Herbert  stepped  to  the  pair  and  said:  "Lieutenant,  it  pains 
me  to  interrupt  a  conversation  which  seems  to  interest  you  ;  but  it 
is  two  o'clock,  and  if  you  wish  to  reach  the  Corvette  to-night,  you 
will  have  to  make  haste.  I  shall  be  pleased  to  see  you  again  ;  in 
deed,  I  hope  your  Captain  will  make  you  the  bearer  of  his  answer 
and  give  you  a  few  days  furlough  to  give  us  a  chance  to  show  you 
the  attractions  of  Friedensthal." 

The  young  man  sighed  heavily,  then  replied  : 

"  Dr.  Grau,  I  fear  I  have  already  seen  too  much  of  the  at 
tractions  of  this  colony  for  my  own  good  ;  you  will  therefore  excuse 
me  if  I  do  not  join  you  in  your  wish.  The  sooner  I  leave  and  for 
get  this  valley  the  better  it  will  be  for  my  peace  of  mind." 


268  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

A  glance  of  the  speaker  at  Inez  interpreted  his  meaning  to  his 
host.  Herbert  knew  that  the  story  of  the  broken  heart  is  only  a 
myth  ;  but  he  also  knew  that  youth  feels  very  keenly,  and  there 
fore  sympathized  with  the  young  Werther. 

Pressing  his  hand  warmly,  he  said  :  "  Wait  then,  until  the 
wound  is  healed,  which  will  be  sooner  than  you  now  imagine.  At 
all  events,  consider  me  your  friend,  and  if  ever  I  can  be  of  service 
to  you,  or  you  get  tired  of  the  Old  World,  do  not  hesitate  to  turn 
your  steps  hither,  and  you  will  be  sure  of  a  cordial  reception." 

The  youth  wrung  the  hand  of  the  other  with  an  exhuberant 
fervor,  exclaiming:  "By  Hercules,  it  would  not  take  much  per 
suasion  to  bring  me  here,  for  what  I  have  seen  is  very  enticing. 
There  is  an  absence  of  ceremony,  a  natural  cordiality  which  won 
my  heart,  and  if  they  pester  me  too  much  with  their  conventional 
ities  across  the  ocean,  you  may  see  me  before  you  think." 

"  I  repeat  that  in  such  a  case  you  will  be  sure  of  a  hearty  re 
ception." 

Another  thanks,  another  handshake,  and  the  two  parted.  In 
saying  farewell  to  Inez  the  young  soldier  endeavored  to  maintain  a 
stoical  composure  befitting  his  profession  ;  yet  his  eyes  grew  moist 
and  he  could  not  help  laying  into  his  glance  all  the  feeling  his 
tongue  was  forbidden  to  utter.  Inez  would  not  have  been  the  quick 
witted  girl  she  was  if  she  had  failed  to  notice  the  deep  impression 
she  had  produced  on  the  youth.  Although  she  was  sorry  for  the 
pain  she  had  unintentionally  inflicted  on  the  young  man,  she  could 
not  help  appreciating  the  compliment  his  admiration  paid  her,  and 
with  the  feelings  of  a  true  woman  she  made  her  farewell  to  him  as 
cordial  as  circumstances  would  permit.  The  young  man's  depart 
ure  was  a  hasty  one,  and  the  journey  rather  silent.  They  reached 
the  Dolphin  shortly  before  dark,  and  half  an  hour  later  Lieutenant 
Detmold  departed  for  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Frio  in  a  small  boat 
pulled  by  four  stalwart  sailors  of  the  Dolphin.  He  promised  to  re 
turn  as  soon  as  possible,  and  so  faithfully  did  he  execute  this  prom 
ise  that  the  boat  once  more  shot  under  the  bow  of  the  Dolphin  be 
fore  the  tenth  hour  of  the  following  morning  had  expired.  He 
shook  hands  with  Arthur  with  a  feverish  energy,  saying  : 

AVell,  1  weathered  this  storm  better  than  I  had  any  reason  to 
expect.  My  captain,  as  well  as  my  mates,  laughed  heartily  at 


The  Treasure  of  Monfezuma,  269 

what  they  were  kind  enough  to  call  my  bathing  tour.  Captain 
Verner,  moreover,  was  so  favorably  impressed  by  Mr.  Grau's  letter 
that  he  has  resolved  upon  a  visit  to  the  wonderful  colony  of  Frie- 
densthal  and  will  be  here  this  afternoon.  Now,  if  it  were  not  for 
the  heart  sore  which  your  enchanted  princess  has  inflicted  upon 
me  I  would  like  nothing  better  than  to  accompany  him  on  his  jour 
ney. 

"Nonsense!"  Arthur  exclaimed;  "be  a  man  and  face  the 
trial.  Remember  that  women  like  heroes,  and  Inez  will  think  all 
the  better  of  you  for  your  return.  Moreover,  we  have  many  lovely 
women  besides  her  in  Montezuma,  and  who  knows  but  you  may 
find  one  capable  and  inclined  to  undertake  your  cure.  But  excuse 
me  ;  I  must  at  once  telegraph  to  father.  He  will  never  pardon  me, 
if,  by  my  negligence  he  would  lose  the  chance  of  impressing  this 
captain  of  yours  with  the  strength,  richness  and  beauty  of  his 
colony." 

"This  will  surely  be  an  easy  task  ;  all  you  have  to  do  will  be 
to  conduct  him  as  you  did  me  through  the  length  of  this  wonder 
ful  valley." 

"Something  of  the  kind  will  probably  be  done  ;  but  if  father 
acts  upon  my  advice,  lie  will  add  what  the  Germans  call  some 
"Knalleffect.  But  I  must  be  off,  so  fare  you  well." 

Arthur  first  sought  the  presence  of  Arturo  and  entered  with 
him  into  an  earnest  and  animated  conversation,  at  the  close  of 
which  the  latter  said:  "I  perfectly  agree  with  you,  and  while  you 
telegraph  to  Montezuma  I  shall  get  ready  to  assist  uncle  Herbert 
in  the  preparations  you  suggest.  There  must  be  somebody  here  to 
•  receive  the  visitors,  and  as  you  can  do  this  so  much  better  than  I,  I 
shall  go  and  assume  duties  for  which  I  am  better  qualified.  Do 
not  fail  to  telegraph  the  exact  moment  of  your  departure  to  the 
valley." 

With  these  words  he  went  to  the  elevator  and  a  moment  later 
boarded  a  special  locomotive,  which  started  as  soon  as  steam  could 
be  raised.  Arthur,  on  the  other  hand,  went  to  the  telegraph  office 
and  wired  a  lengthy  message  to  Herbert,  to  which  he  received  the 
short  but  evidently  satisfactory  reply,  "All  right,"  for  he  went  to 
work  with  a  will,  and  soon  had  the  entire  crew  and  guard  engaged 
in  putting  the  steamer  in  readiness  fdr  the  distinguished  visitors. 


270  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

The  deck  was  scrubbed,  flags,  streamers  and  bunting  of  German 
and  Mexican  devices  hoisted  in  profusion  to  the  mast  heads  and 
rigging,  and  finally  the  tables  for  a  sumtuous  repast  were  spread 
upon  the  deck.  The  band  of  the  steamer,  strengthed  by  vol 
unteers  from  the  militia,  received  instructions  as  to  the  character 
of  the  music  they  were  to  perform,  and  finally  the  guns  of  the 
Dolphin  were  charged  for  a  salute  of  welcome  on  the  arrival  of  the 
strangers. 

Thus  the  time  flew  rapidly  and  at  five  o'clock  a  sailboat  with 
the  visitors  on  board  hove  in  sight.  When  it  had  approached  to 
the  distance  of  about  five  hundred  yards,  twenty  five  shots  were 
fired  and  a  mighty  German  flag  in  black,  red  and  gold  was  hoisted 
to  the  flagstaff,  where  a  favorable  breeze  spread  it  in  all  its  beauty. 
Then  the  band  struck  up  "What  is  the  German's  Fatherland,"  in 
which  every  living  soul  on  board  the  Dolphin  soon  joined  with 
commendable  zeal  and  with  tolerable  execution.  The  crew  of  the 
approaching  boat  caught  the  infection,  and  when  it  touched  the 
hull  of  the  Dolphin,  they  sang  as  vigorously  as  their  hosts.  Stairs 
had  been  provided  to  facilitate  the  ascent,  and  when  Captain  Ver- 
ner  appeared  at  the  gunwale  Arthur  stood  ready  to  receive  him. 
Both  sailors  and  marines  had  been  drawn  up  in  line  and  at  a  signal 
from  Arthur  they  fired  a  salute. 

Our  friend  then  offered  the  stranger  his  right  hand  and  said: 
"In  the  name  of  the  head  of  this  colony  and  its  people  I  bid  you  a 
cordial  welcome.  Permit  me  to  express  our  common  hope  that  this 
visit  may  lead  to  a  firm  bond  of  love  and  friendship  between  the 
Fatherland  and  the  sons  of  Friedensthal." 

Captain  Verner  was  visibly  moved.  Clasping  the  proffered 
hand  and  giving  it  a  hearty  pressure,  he  said  : 

"I  thank  you  for  a  reception  whose  cordiality  contrasts  strange 
ly  with  my  own  conduct  towards  you  and  yours.  Believe  me,  when 
I  tell  you  that  only  the  grossest  misrepresentation  of  one  in  whose 
veracity  I  had  been  led  to  believe,  prompted  me  to  actions  which  I 
now  heartily  regret." 

"  Say  nothing  more,"  Arthur  said  politely;  "we  all  felt  there 
must  be  some  misunderstanding,  and  would  sincerely  thank  you  for 
letting  bygones  be  bygones,  for  it  pains  me  to  see  a  brave  man 
making  apologies." 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  271 

"In  other  words  you  want  to  save  me  further  humiliation. 
Very  well,  sir,  I  accept  an  assistance  so  gracefully  bestowed  ;  but  I 
shall  make  a  mental  note  of  this  and  trust  the  day  may  come  when 
I  can  repay  my  debt  with  interest.  But  here  is  my  embassador. 
Lieutenant,  can  you  not  give  me  an  introduction  to  this  courteous 
gentleman  ?  " 

"It  is  Mr.  Arthur  Grau,  superintendent  of  the  Friedensthal 
mines,  but  1  can  testify  that  he  is  well  versed  in  many  other  arts 
and  sciences,  as  his  campaign  against  my  forces  abundantly  proves." 

"In  watercure,  for  instance  ;  hey  Lieutenant?  Well,  I  thought 
as  much,  and  am  glad  my  expectations  were  fully  realized.  But 
permit  me  to  make  you  acquainted  with  my  companions." 

The  mutual  representations  were  then  attended  to,  after  which 
supper  was  announced.  Arthur  conducted  Captain  Verner  to  his 
seat,  and,  when  all  had  taken  their  places,  a  banquet  was  inaugu 
rated  which  by  its  peculiar  surroundings,  the  strange  composition 
of  its  participants  and  the  excellence  of  its  courses  and  wines  cer 
tainly  ranks  high  amongst  spreads  of  a  similar  character.  One  could 
readily  discover  that  Captain  Verner  enjoyed  himself  intensely 
and  that  his  liking  for  his  hosts,  and  especially  Arthur,  increased 
from  minute  to  minute. 

It  was  ten  o'clock  when  the  party  finally  arose,  Arthur  urging 
an  early  retirement,  to  enable  the  visitors  to  endure  the  fatigue  of 
the  next  day.  After  a  cordial  "good  night"  all  parted,  and  soou 
found  the  slumber  which  seamen  need  not  long  court  even  under 
the  most  difficult  circumstances. 

Early  in  the  morning  they  were  astir,  and,  after  a  hasty  break 
fast,  prepared  for  the  ride  in  the  new  romantic  land.  Besides  the 
captain,  four  of  the  subordinate  officers  of  the  Mermaid  were  to 
participate  in  the  journey.  Three  of  them  had  come  with  their 
commander  and  the  fourth  was  Lieutenant  Detmold,  who  had 
finally  reached  the  conclusion  that  a  brave  man  must  be  as  ready  to 
face  the  songs  of  the  sirens  as  the  bellowing  of  cannons.  Besides, 
he  had  traversed  this  wonderland  before,  and  might  do  some  service 
to  his  companions  as  prompter. 

The  captain  had  undoubtedly  been  in  a  measure  prepared  for 
what  he  was  to  see ;  but  this  did  not  at  all  prevent  him  from  falling 
a  prey  to  an  astonishment  which  increased  every  second  and  was  soon 


272  Thf  T feature  of  Montezuma. 

fully  as  great  as  that  of  Detmold  the  day  before.  Perhaps  he  had 
not  fully  credited  the  hitter's  wonderful  story ;  perhaps  the  sights 
presenting  themselves  to  his  view  had  in  them  elements  calculated 
to  destroy  even  the  composure  of  even  the  strongest  mind.  How 
ever  this  may  have  been,  it  is  certain  that  the  bewilderment  of  the 
commander  was  fully  as  intense  on  his  arrival  at  Monte/Aima  :  s  that 
of  his  lieutenant  had  been  on  the  former  occasion  In  addition  to 
the  natural  attractions  of  the  valley,  the  demonstrations  of  wel 
come  and  respect  manifested  by  the  people  at  all  points  undoubtedly 
added  to  the  pleasurable  emotions  of  the  captain.  Cannon  were  fired, 
flags  and  banners  hoisted,  strains  of  martial  music  filled  the  air, 
and  other  tokens  of  regard  were  indulged  in,  reaching  a  climax  when 
the  train  entered  the  lofty  hall  doming  the  depot  at  Montezuma. 
Double  rows  of  handsome  maidens  dressed  in  spotless  white  lined 
the  platform,  and  when  the  captain  passed  through  them  with  head 
uncovered,  one  of  them  handed  him  a  beautiful  boquet  and  wel 
comed  him  with  well  set  words  to  Montezuma.  The  visitor  was  so 
overwhelmed  by  all  these  demonstrations  that,  man  of  the  world 
though  he  was,  he  found  it  difficult  to  thank  her  for  the  kind  senti 
ments  expressed.  Nor  had  he  time  to  collect  his  thoughts;  for  on 
leaving  the  depot  he  encountered  a  man  of  commanding  stature 
whose  gaze  was  at  once  so  benevolent  and  yet  so  authorative  that 
the  visitor  could  not  help  doing  him  homage  by  a  deep  bow. 

"Dr.  ( irau,"  Arthur  introduced. 

"  Who  considers  himself  fortunate  to  have  the  opportunity  of 
welcoming  in  this  valley  a  representative  of  the  valient  navy  of 
his  Fatherland.  Be  kind  enough  to  take  a  seat  in  this  carriage 
which  will  take  us  to  my  house  for  a  little  collation.  Arthur  see 
that  the  other  gentlemen  are  provided  for  in  a  similar  manner." 

"  I  am  entirely  at  your  disposal,"  was  all  the  captain  could 
replv. 

He  felt  himself  lifted  into  a  splendid  open  carriage,  drawn  by 
four  superb  horses  of  the  purest  white.  His  host  took  a  seat  by  his 
side,  but  even  then  the  visitor  found  it  impossible  to  enter  upon  a 
coherent  conversation,  for  one  demonstration  crowded  upon  another, 
engaging  all  the  attention  of  which  the  stranger  was  capable.  A 
salute  of  twelve  guns  shook  the  air,  and  six  times  in  succession  did 
they  belch  forth  their  fiery  contents.  A  company  of  soldiers  was 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  273 

posted  in  front  of  the  carriage,  being  in  turn  headed  by  a  brass  band 
which,  on  a  signal  from  Herbert,  began  to  play  a  national  strain, 
and  set  itself  in  motion.  The  park  with  its  stately  trees,  its  spark 
ling  fountains  and  gay  flower  beds  was  in  itself  au  object  of  no  lit 
tle  attraction  ;  but  to-day  the  military  array  and  gaily  dressed 
thousands  of  curious  spectators  greatly  enhanced  its  charms.  Over 
six  thousand  soldiers  lined  the  sides  of  the  streets,  presenting  arms 
while  the  carriages  passed,  and  then,  forming  into  line  six  abreast, 
marched  after  them,  until  the  procession  halted  at  Herbert's  Villa. 
At  the  head  of  the  steps  leading  to  the  veranda,  Inez  received  the 
guests,  convincing  the  commander  as  well  as  his  subordinates  that 
Detwold's  ordeal  had  indeed  been  a  severe  one.  The  guests  were 
lead  into  the  dining  room  to  partake  of  a  dinner  which,  in  splendor 
and  variety,  far  outstripped  the  banquet  on  board  the  Dolphin. 
We  have  neither  the  time  nor  desire  to  paint  the  details  of  this 
lucullian  entertainment,  but  we  must  chronicle  the  almost  con-' 
temptuous  mein  with  which  Captain  Verner  acknowledged  his  in 
troduction  to  Philip  Grau. 

He  pretended  not  to  see  the  proffered  hand,  and  the  bow  he 
made  was  so  stiff  as  to  engender  the  idea  that  his  spine  consisted 
of  an  iron  rod.  Of  course,  Philip  fumed  inwardly  ;  but  just  then 
he  was  much  like  a  rattlesnake  whose  fangs  have  been  extracted. 
He  grew  pallid  with  rage  and  vowed  to  himself  that  both  his  rela 
tive  and  this  haughty  officer  should  suffer  for  the  open  contempt 
with  which  they  treated  him,  and  the  reader  may  rest  assured  that 
he  was  the  man  to  remember  such  vows  and  to  seize  every  oppor 
tunity  to  fulfill  them. 

After  the  repast  Herbert  proposed  a  journey  through  the  full 
extent  of  the  valley,  a  suggestion  eagerly  accepted  by  the  guests. 
The  electric  street  railway  conveyed  them  to  the  depot,  where  they 
boarded  a  special  train,  which  carried  them  to  the  northern  ex 
tremity.  They  visited  the  mines  of  Minersville,  the  factories  of 
Ironton,  and  all  the  other  wonders  of  this  wonderful  valley.  It 
would  not  only  be  tedious,  but  simply  impossible,  to  chronicle  the 
exclamations  of  suprise,  delight  and  acknowledgement  constantly 
uttered  by  the  visitors.  It  must  suffice  to  record  the  remark  which 
Captain  Verner  addressed  to  Herbert  after  the  return  to  the  Villa. 

"  Dr.  Grau,"  he  said  ;  "  I  am  not  a  man  of  many  words.    You 


274  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

may  rest  assured  that  I  mean  what  I  say  when  I  tell  you  that  what 
I  saw  to-day  is  the  most  wonderful  thing  that  I  ever  gazed  upon. 
If  a  man  is  to  be  measured  by  his  achievements  (and  I  think  he 
ought  to  be),  you  are  surely  the  most  remarkable  person  I  ever 
met." 

"  Why  Captain,  I  thought  you  seaman  were  above  such  flattery," 
Herbert  replied  with  a  good-natured  laugh. 

"Flattery  be  hanged!"  exclaimed  the  other,  becoming  very 
plain  in  his  demonstrations  ;  "  Why,  you  have  almost  made  a  con 
vert  of  me.  I  never  believed  much  in  these  new-fangled  theories 
of  equality,  fraternity  and  socialism  ;  but  I'll  be  hanged  if  it 
would  take  much  to  persuade  me  to  become  a  disciple  of  yours." 

"You  would  surely  be  heartily  welcome,"  Herbert  said  cor 
dially,  the  same  good-natured  smile  still  playing  around  his  lips. 

"Would  I  now?  .By  St.  George,  I  shall  remember  these  words, 
and  if  too  many  reptiles  " — with  a  significant  glance  at  Philip — 
"  cross  my  path  over  there,  perhaps  I  may  take  you  at  your  word 
sooner  than  you  imagine." 

AVhen  the  evening's  festivities  were  over,  Captain  Verner  said 
a  cordial  adieu  to  his  host,  declining  all  further  offers  of  hospital 
ity  on  the  plea  of  duty.  "I  must  be  on  board  the  Mermaid  to 
morrow  morning,"  he  said  so  positively  that  Herbert  could  not  well 
urge  the  point.  "  I  thank  you  heartily  for  your  generous  hospital 
ity  and  "--  he  lowered  his  voice  to  a  whisper — "  for  the  lesson  yon 
have  taught  me.  If  ever  they  want  to  bother  you  again,  they  must 
choose  another  tool.  I  would  sooner  resign  my  commission  than 
raise  my  hand  against  you  once  more." 

"You  tell  them  of  the  strength  of  our  position,"  Herbert  re 
plied,  smiling,  "and  I  think  they  will  abstain  from  further  at 
tempts  to  crack  the  hard  nut." 

"  I  think  so  myself.  Besides,  you  may  depend  on  my  setting 
you  right  with  our  authorities." 

"  P^verything  ready  ?  Well,  good-bye,  Dr.  Grau,  I  part  with  a 
heavy  heart  from  you  and  yours.  It  is  not  very  pleasant  for  a  man 
to  find  out  at  my  age  that  he  has  been  on  the  wrong  track  all  his 
life." 

"Then  make  a  turn,  Captain  ;  never  too  late  to  learn,  you 
know." 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  275 

"  Well,  I  may  ;  but  I  shall  do  nothing  rash,  and  ponder  well 
before  taking  a  step  which  cannot  be  recalled.  Good  bye,  good 
bye!" 

With  these  words  they  parted,  Philip  and  Bertha  accompanying 
him. 

The  latter  was  unusually  affected.  She  embraced  both  Herbert 
and  Inez  with  deep  emotion  and  wrung  Arthur's  hand  with  almost 
painful  fervor.  While  she  could  not  control  the  passion  she  felt 
for  Philip,  she  felt  that  he  had  played  a  disgraceful  role  in  the  val 
ley,  and  evidently  wished  to  offer  her  an  affectionate  farewell  as  a 
slight  atonement  for  his  perfidy. 

As  for  Philip,  he  was  too  completely  unmasked  to  make  any 
further  attempt  at  dissimulation,  and  the  others  were  too  deeply 
disgusted  with  his  duplicity  to  feign  a  sorrow  which  they  were  far 
from  feeling.  So  he  parted  with  a  chilling  coldness,  with  only  the 
observance  of  the  barest  civilities.  Even  Arturo  drew  a  breath  of 
relief,  when  the  door  closed  upon  him  ;  nor  was  the  intercourse  be 
tween  the  exile  and  Captain  Verner  any  more  cordial.  Their  con 
versation  was  reduced  to  the  interchange  of  remarks  absolutely 
necessary,  and  so  galling  was  the  open  contempt  of  the  commander 
and  his  officers  for  their  passenger  that  the  latter  demanded  to  be 
landed  at  the  nearest  point  to  the  Mexican  capital,  threatening 
openly,  before  leaving,  that  he  would  inform  his  governmentof  the 
strange  conduct  of  its  servants.  The  captain  received  this  threat 
with  silent  contempt,  and  felt  relieved  when  the  intriguer  left  his 
vessel. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


THE    CROWNING    OF   THE    WORK. 


In  Monte/uma  everything  soon  fell  back  into  the  wonted  rou 
tine.  A  delightful  calm  settled  upon  the  family,  and  they  talked 
and  acted  as  if  a  heavy  burden  had  been  taken  off  their  minds. 
Arturo  was  given  a  place  in  the  administration,  and  it  did  not  take 


270  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

him  long  to  show  that  he  was  made  of  good  material,  which 
came  to  light  when  the  dross  had  been  removed. 

The  judges  dispensed  in  his  case  with  the  customary  term  of 
probation,  and,  a  week  later,  he  and  Clara  were  joined  in  wedlock. 
The  bride  was  all  blushes  and  received  the  congratulations  of  her 
friends  with  a  mien  so  full  of  bliss  and  rapture  that  there  was  no 
doubt  of  the  perfect  happiness  which  had  fallen  to  her  share. 

Time  flies  as  rapidly  in  Friedensthal  as  elsewhere,  or  rather 
faster,  for  the  reader  knows  well  that  the  minutes  are  most  lightly 
winged  where  joy  and  happiness  have  taken  up  their  abode.  He 
will,  therefore,  not  wonder  when  we  tell  him  that  the  day  which 
was  to  bring  independence  and  self-government  to  the  colonists 
made  its  appearance  much  more  quickly  than  they  had  expected, 
and,  strange  to  say,  wished.  Independence  is  always  coupled  with 
duty,  and  duty  with  care.  The  rule  of  Herberthad  been  so  gentle, 
so  benevolent ,  so  beneficent  that  the  colonists  had  been  spoiled  and 
become  indifferent  to  a  blessing  which  we  are  apt  to  miss  most  in 
misrule.  Herbert  was  aware  of  this  feeling  ;  he  knew  its  danger  to 
the  future  liberties  of  his  coloni-ts,  and  it  was  principally  for  this 
reason  that  he  refused  to  prolong  his  period  of  paternal  rule. 

I  have  outlined  the  principles  underlying  Herbert's  institutions 
in  my  story  ;  it  is  therefore  unnecessary  to  give  at  this  place  the 
constitution  which  the  people  were  to  adopt  or  reject  on  the 
day  of  election.  The  day  set  for  it  broke  fair  ;  fair  even  for  the 
happy  clime  of  Frit  densthal.  The  entire  valley  assumed  a  holiday 
attire.  The  shops,  the  stores  and  the  schools  were  closed,  and  the 
people  swarmed  from  their  houses  like  bees  seeking  new  quarters. 
Jt  was  conjectured  that,  with  this  freedom  from  work,  all  the  votes 
could,  and  would  be  cast  by  noon,  leaving  the  afternoon  for  the 
celebration  of  the  festivities  which  had  been  arranged  throughout 
the  valley.  X or  was  this  conjecture  wrong.  After  twelve  o'clock 
no  one  approached  the  poles,  which  were  then  closed.  The  count 
ing  of  the  votes  began  at  once,  but  it  soon  became  evident  that  the 
work  was  merely  a  matter  of  form,  not  a  single  "  no  "  making  its 
appearance.  At  four  o'clock  the  result  was  no  longer  to  be  doubted, 
:md  salutes  of  artillery  announced  the  momentous  event  to  the 
people.  Of  course,  only  comparatively  few  could  hear  him,  no 
matter  how  eagerly  they  crowded  around  the  tribune  ;  but  as 


The  Treasure  of  Montezuma.  277 

all  were  anxious  to  hear  what  their  father,  friend  and  benefactor 
had  to  say  to  them  on  this  occasion,  the  address  had  been  printed, 
and  was   circulated   in  thousands  of    copies   all  over  the  valley. 
It  read  : 
" Friends  and  Associates: 

You  have,  this  morning,  performed  a  political  act  of  the 
utmost  importance.  You  have,  by  your  votes,  adopted  the  princi 
ples  which  have  guided  your  steps  these  twenty-five  years,  and  led 
you  to  safety,  happiness  and  prosperity.  Hitherto  1  have  watched 
over  you  and  seen  to  the  faithful  execution  of  these  very  princi 
ples.  From  to-day  it  will  be  your  duty  to  exercise  such  vigilance 
yourselves.  A  great  boon  is  worth  the  trouble  of  preserving  it  ;  I 
trust  you  will  cheerfully  bring  the  little  sacrifice  of  a  few  hours' 
labor  to  guard  a  treasure  for  the  thoughtless  loss  of  which  your 
children's  children  would  curse  you.  Watch  over  it  with  the  most 
zealous  vigilance.  Do  not  allow  the  slightest  infringment  of  the 
fundamental  principles  forming  your  constitution.  Keep  secular 
and  religious  matters  strictly  separate.  Preserve  the  most  absolute 
liberty  of  thought,  speech  and  belief.  Do  not  allow  the  land  of 
your  colony,  this  inalienable  common  property  of  all,  to  become 
the  property  of  individuals.  Let  it  and  the  treasures  found  in  its 
bowels  alone  bear  the  brunt  of  taxation  ;  be  very  careful  not  to 
tax  the  industries  of  your  fellows  or  to  put  a  premium  on  shrewd 
speculation  which,  ninety-nine  cases  in  a  hundred,  is  nothing  but 
legalized  robbery.  Keep  the  interest  for  loans  at  the  present  low 
rate,  thereby  compelling  even  the  rich  man,  to  work  with  his  hands 
or  his  brains  for  a  living.  Educate  all  your  children  alike,  and 
thus  give  them  all  an  equal  chance.  At  present  it  is  not  necessary 
to  feed  any  of  them  at  public  expense  ;  nor  will  this  necessity  ever 
occur  here,  I  feel  assured,  if  you  live  up  to  the  spirit  as  well  as  the 
letter  of  your  constitution  ;  but  should,  by  some  calamity  or  other, 
poverty  raise  its  hideous  head  among  you,  be  very  careful  not  to 
discriminate  between  the  children  of  the  rich  and  the  poor.  If  you 
do  ;  if  you  allow  the  latter  to  grow  up  with  advantages  over  the 
less  favored  ones,  you  give  your  institutions  a  death  stroke,  under 
which  they  will  soon  perish.  I  do  not  much  fear  such  deplorable 
conditions  here,  but  if  ever  they  occur,  combine  all  the  wisdom, 
patriotism  and  virtue  of  the  colony  to  avert  their  fatal  conse 
quences. 


278  The  Treasure  of  Montezuma. 

"  I  have  always  tried  to  impress  you  with  the  truth  that  justice, 
not  charity,  ought  to  guide  your  intercourse  with  one  another. 
The  latter  degrades  the  recipient  and  is  absolutely  unnecesssary,  if 
the  former  is  your  rule  of  action.  And  witli  his  birth  every 
body  has  the  right  of  enjoying  happiness,  and  only  the  gross 
est  injustice  on  the  part  of  others  can  deprive  him  of  this  birth 
right.  Yet,  strange  to  say,  such  injustice  is  almost  universally  the 
rule,  and  not  the  exception,  a  circumstance  well  calculated  to  fill 
me  with  the  fear  that  you,  too,  at  some  distant  day,  may  lose  sight 
of  this  fundamental  axiom. 

"  To-day,  at  this  very  hour,  the  deed,  making  over  this  beauti 
ful  valley  to  you  and  yours  is  being  recorded  in  the  Archives  of 
the  Capitol.  From  this  moment  I  shall  be  no  richer  than  any  of 
you  ;  but  do  not  forget  that  I  have  made  you  merely  stewards  of 
this  wealth  for  the  benefit  of  the  entire  race  and  unborn  genera 
tions.  Show  yourselves  worthy  of  this  magnificent  gift  by  aiding, 
to  the  best  of  your  ability,  outsiders  who,  laboring  under  the  yoke 
of  secular  or  spiritual  tyrants,  look  to  you  for  deliverance  from 
such  bondage. 

"  You  are  composed  of  many  nationalities.  Do  not  cling,  then, 
to  one  particular  race  or  land,  but,  placing  yourselves  on  the  broad 
platform  of  cosmopolitanism,  work  at  and  for  the  emancipation  of 
all.  I  could  add  many  words  to  these  ;  but  it  is  not  only  since  yes 
terday  that  I  have  lived  and  worked  amongst  you.  You  all  know 
my  principles,  which  are,  moreover,  embodied  in  the  constitution 
you  have  to-day  adopted.  I  have  given  you  many  millions  ;  but 
the  legacy  I  leave  you  in  this  instrument  outweighs  by  far  the 
treasures  of  Monte/Aima.  You  all  know  how  these  treasures  have 
enabled  me  to  carry  out  my  ideas  of  an  existence  worthy  of  the  hu 
man  race  ;  but  only  in  this  sense  these  millions  have  the  right  to 
be  introduced  as  factors  in  our  relations  to  one  another.  Let  them 
be  subservient  to  the  true  interests  of  mankind,  and  they  are  a 
blessing  ;  but  let  them  assume  the  mastership  and  enslave  mankind 
for  the  furtherance  of  selfish  purposes,  and  they  assume  a  hostile, 
yea,  truly  fiendish  character,  before  which  the  real  welfare  of  the 
race  perishes  as  the  dry  grass  before  the  fiery  breath  of  the  flame." 

I  have  but  little  to  add.  Arthur  and  Inez  at  the  end  of  the 
year  of  probation  became  united  in  the  bonds  of  matrimony. 


The  Treasure  of  Monteznma.  279 

They  have  ever  since  continued  to  form  a  shining  example  for  the 
young  people  of  the  valley,  which  has  long  since  lost  the  character 
of  seclusion,  and  is  sending  forth  every  year  apostles  whose  duty 
and  delight  it  is  to  preach  to  the  world  the  principles  governing  the 
happy  colonists  of  Friedeusthal.  Herbert  Grau  is  still  among  the 
living.  He  has  become  young  again  in  the  games  he  plays  with 
his  grandchildren  ;  but  while  he  continues  to  assist  the  colonists 
with  his  advice,  he  strictly  abstains  from  exercising  any  arbitrary 
authority  which  might  create  a  precedent  for  later  counsellors,  both 
less  wise  and  disinterested. 


THE  END. 


ucsou 


A    000  055  406 


